Trump claims more than 100 million barrels of oil, 200 ships have safely made way through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Claims Over 100 Million Barrels of Oil and 200 Ships Successfully Pass Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump claims more than 100 million - On June 10, 2026, President Donald Trump revealed in a social media post that the United States has facilitated the safe passage of more than 100 million barrels of oil and over 200 commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. This claim followed a Wednesday address in the Oval Office, where Trump hinted at U.S. operations to secure maritime routes in the region. "Last month, I ordered our strong military to carry out a covert mission to protect oil tankers and commercial vessels," he stated, emphasizing the strategic importance of the waterway.
Secret Mission and Strategic Context
Trump described the initiative as a "wildly successful effort," attributing it to U.S. control over the strait during ongoing tensions with Iran. "This success is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran," he added in a later post. The operation, he claimed, was designed to ensure the uninterrupted flow of oil into the global market, particularly amid Iran's attempts to disrupt shipping.
"Do you know, we've been taking out millions of barrels of oil? Nobody knows it. You know who doesn’t know about it? Iran, until right now. We took out the other night 22 ships late at night with no lights, because they don’t have any radar, because we blasted the crap out of it,"
— Trump, during a Wednesday Oval Office appearance.
Verification and Coordination Efforts
ABC News reported that it could not immediately confirm the exact figures Trump cited. However, the New York Times noted that the U.S. Navy had been assisting commercial ships through the strait since last month. According to a U.S. official, this involved a coordination effort where shippers could contact Central Command for guidance, rather than a full revival of Project Freedom, a previous military initiative that had been suspended after just two days.
Trump’s claim of 22 ships being "taken" through the strait earlier in the week aligns with reports of U.S. operations to shield vessels from Iranian threats. The president suggested that the mission was kept secret until Iran "figured it out," prompting his decision to disclose the details publicly.
Strait of Hormuz Significance
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is critical for global oil trade, with about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passing through it daily. Trump’s remarks highlight the strategic value of maintaining control over this chokepoint, especially during heightened regional conflicts.