US President Donald Trump has revealed that the American military has been carrying out a previously undisclosed operation to help commercial vessels navigate the Strait of Hormuz, marking the clearest indication yet of Washington’s active role in safeguarding shipping through the strategic waterway.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said he authorised a “secret mission” last month to support oil tankers and other commercial ships transiting the Strait amid ongoing tensions in the region.
According to the president, the operation has enabled more than 200 commercial vessels carrying over 100 million barrels of oil to pass safely through the chokepoint and reach global markets.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 million barrels of oil making its way through the Strait and into the open market,” Trump wrote, adding that “the United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz — not Iran”.
The disclosure sheds new light on US activities in the region following months of disruption to maritime traffic triggered by hostilities between Washington and Tehran. It also comes after repeated denials by US Central Command that American forces had resumed escorting commercial vessels through the Strait.
Neither the White House nor US Central Command immediately provided further details on the nature or scope of the operation.