White House says US has not escorted oil tanker through Strait of Hormuz despite now-deleted claim

The U.S. military has not yet escorted any oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, contradicting a now-deleted post from Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

“I was made aware of this post. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the Energy secretary about it directly, however, I know the post was taken down pretty quickly and I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time,” Leavitt said during a White House press briefing.

She noted, however, that the possibility of military escorts for tankers through the strait is still on the table.

“That’s an option the president has said he will absolutely utilize if and when necessary at the appropriate time,” Leavitt said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key channel near Iran through which the equivalent of about a fifth of the world’s oil typically flows.

Shipping through the strait has halted amid the ongoing conflict, sending oil prices upward. Iran has threatened to attack any vessels attempting to traverse the strait.

Last week, President Trump said the Navy would escort oil tankers through the strait “if necessary.”

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