United States President Donald Trump said a secret US military mission helped more than 100 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran restricted shipping there.
Trump made the claim in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, June 10. He said the operation supported oil tankers and other commercial ships through the waterway and helped more than 200 vessels transit into the open market.
ABC News reported that Trump described the effort as a “secret mission” conducted last month. The outlet said the president linked the operation to keeping oil moving through the strategic shipping route.
The United States had started a military operation called Project Freedom in early May to escort ships through the strait, but scrapped it after one day. US media later reported that the effort had resumed.
Last week that US Central Command said it had established a pathway for commercial vessels seeking safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The corridor was meant to support traffic through the critical international passage.
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The Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy flows. CBS News reported earlier this year that the waterway normally carries about 20% of global oil, including roughly 15 million barrels of crude a day.
Gulf News, citing AFP, reported that Iran had largely closed the strait in response to US and Israeli attacks. US Central Command had previously rejected reports that the Navy had resumed escorting or assisting commercial vessels