In his online message, Wright cheered: “The US Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil flows to global markets.” In an attached video, he said this happened 36 hours ago. Wright also announced that more ships would follow. However, a short time later the message disappeared from his online profile without further explanation.
The tweet called the Iranian Revolutionary Guards into action. They described the US minister’s statements as “pure untruth”. A spokesman said no U.S. warship “dared to approach the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz during the war.”
Shortly afterwards, Leavitt appeared in front of the press and had to admit the mistake. However, escorting tankers remains an option in principle, she emphasized. President Donald Trump has announced that he will “definitely use this if necessary at the appropriate time.”
A week ago, Trump had already promised stranded oil tankers an escort through the strait between Iran and Oman. However, nothing has happened since then. Instead, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened US ships with attacks.
“We recommend that Americans remember the fire on the US supertanker Bridgeton in 1987 and the recent oil tankers attacked before making any decision,” a Revolutionary Guard spokesman said. The ‘Bridgeton’ hit a mine during the Iran-Iraq War. Although the supertanker continued its journey and no crew member was injured, the incident was considered a propaganda success for Iran.
Leavitt left unanswered the question of whether the mistake was made by the energy minister himself or by an employee. She hasn’t had a chance to speak with Wright yet, she said. According to US media reports, the 61-year-old businessman owes his position primarily to his large donations to Trump in the 2024 presidential election campaign.
During her briefings in the White House, Leavitt never tires of accusing well-known media outlets such as CNN and the New York Times of spreading alleged “fake news.” The 28-year-old often attacks experienced journalists personally – especially when, in her opinion, they report inaccurately about Trump.
Oil prices collapsed after the US minister’s online message. The North Sea brand Brent and the US variety WTI have now lost more than 15 percent in value. After the correction, oil prices rose again.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards declared the Strait of Hormuz closed eleven days ago after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began. The strait is a bottleneck for global container and tanker traffic. Around 20 percent of global oil and liquid gas production is transported here.
On Monday, Trump for the first time promised a quick end to the Iran war. As a result, oil prices on the world markets, which had previously risen massively, fell significantly. However, the US later announced further attacks. Israel and Iran also contradicted Trump’s statements about an early end to the war.
The US President is under domestic political pressure because of the increased fuel prices. He had repeatedly promised voters that consumer prices would fall sharply. His Republican Party is nervous about the crucial midterm congressional elections in November. Primary elections are already taking place in some states.
