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The Callisto tanker remains anchored while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains minimal amidst escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026. — Reuters
The White House announced Tuesday that the US military has not conducted any escort operations for commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, following reports that were later retracted. Earlier, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright shared on X that the US Navy had successfully guided an oil tanker through this critical waterway, but he later deleted the post for reasons unknown.
The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has already disrupted shipments traversing the Strait along Iran’s coastline. This area typically handles about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, but now many Middle Eastern oil producers have exhausted their storage capacities and halted production.
On March 3, President Donald Trump pledged that the US would shield oil tankers passing through the Strait. The Pentagon followed this by reiterating threats to strike Iran more forcefully unless shipping routes are reopened, stating it targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels and storage facilities.
Wright initially tweeted that the US Navy had escorted an oil tanker to keep oil supplies flowing globally but later removed the message, with unclear reasons for the deletion.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that no oil tankers or vessels have been escorted through the Strait of Hormuz yet. Meanwhile, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesperson dismissed Wright’s claims, warning that any US or allied movement in the area would be blocked by Iran’s missiles and drones.
Earlier on Tuesday, the top US military officer indicated that the military is exploring options to escort ships through the Strait if ordered. General Dan Caine told reporters at the Pentagon, “We’re considering a range of potential actions.”
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