President Donald Trump disclosed Wednesday that U.S. military forces have carried out a secret operation to secure safe passage for oil tankers and commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil trade.
In a statement shared on Truth Social on June 10, Trump said the mission has already enabled more than 100 million barrels of oil and over 200 commercial vessels to transit the strait without major incidents.
How the Operation Kept Oil and Commercial Ships Moving
He described the effort as a success that puts the United States in control of the critical chokepoint, which Iran had tried to dominate amid ongoing tensions.
“The United States has taken control of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. “Iran’s military is defeated, and its economy is lost. Over 100 million barrels of oil and more than 200 ships have safely passed through because of the United States, not Iran.”
The announcement comes as the region continues to experience the effects of clashes that flared earlier this year.
Iran had declared the strait closed in early March and threatened shipping, disrupting flows that normally run at around 20 million barrels per day.
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The move sent oil prices higher around the world and raised fears of energy shortages, even though the U.S. imports only a small share of its oil from the Persian Gulf.
Tankers stayed on either side of the Strait for weeks, fearing attacks and insurance risks, and shipping traffic plummeted.
Recent days have shown some pickup in transits, but volumes remain far below normal.
Trump’s claim of a secret mission suggests American forces have been working behind the scenes, likely with Navy escorts, patrols, and other operations, to clear threats and reassure shippers.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Remains a Global Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and Oman at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. At its narrowest, it is only about 21 miles wide.
Oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and other producers must pass through it to reach markets in Asia, Europe, and beyond.
The serious disruption that was experienced at the start of the Iran-U.S. war rippled through fuel prices, stock markets, and economies worldwide.
Trump said the secret operation facilitated oil tankers to pass through amid Iran’s threat. He described the operation as part of his “America First” approach.
According to Trump, the U.S. made the bold move to protect global energy flows and American interests.
The disclosure arrives as oil markets continue to fluctuate. West Texas Intermediate crude recently traded around $88 a barrel, down from peaks during the worst of the disruptions but still elevated.
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Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted earlier this week that ship traffic was improving, which helped ease some pressure on prices.
The Pentagon is yet to shed more light or comment on operational details. Central Command has previously acknowledged providing escorts when requested and monitoring threats in the Gulf.
After the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran’s military assets, Iran responded by attacking ships and using mines and small boats to harass traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. responded by deploying a naval blockade to countercheck Iran’s operations, and turned away all ships that left or headed to Iranian ports. The blockade, according to U.S. officials, has left Iran’s economy in a sickbed.
What Trump’s Revelation Could Mean for Future U.S.-Iran Relations
In his statement, President Trump suggested that the secret mission’s success weakens Iran’s leverage in any future deals and protects allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel from economic pressure.
He has floated ideas about long-term arrangements to keep the strait open, even joking in past remarks about renaming it the Strait of Trump.
Iran is yet to respond to Trump’s claims.
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