TRT World - White House denies US Navy escorted tankers through Strait of Hormuz as Iran war enters day 11

The White House said the United States has not escorted any oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting a now-deleted claim by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright as the war with Iran entered its eleventh day.

“Washington, DC — The White House has said that the United States has not escorted any oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting a now-deleted claim by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, even as President Donald Trump signals the military campaign against Iran could intensify in the coming days”

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, "I can confirm that the US Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time, though of course that's an option."

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Leavitt said the now-deleted post had been taken down quickly and stressed that any decision to deploy naval escorts would rest with the president, adding, "That’s an option the president has said he will absolutely utilise if and when necessary at the appropriate time."

The clarification came amid growing tension around the narrow waterway near Iran, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil normally flows.

Shipping through the Strait has largely halted during the conflict, pushing global oil prices sharply higher.

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On Monday, crude surged above $119 a barrel, its highest level since 2022, stoking fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies.

Leavitt sought to reassure American consumers that the spike would not last, saying, "Rest assured, to the American people, the recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary, and this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long term."

The White House insists the military campaign is progressing according to plan and remains focused on dismantling Iran's strategic capabilities.

“Washington, DC — The White House has said that the United States has not escorted any oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting a now-deleted claim by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, even as President Donald Trump signals the military campaign against Iran could intensify in the coming days”

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According to Leavitt, US forces are targeting missile production infrastructure and other military assets as part of a broader effort to degrade Iran's ability to sustain the fight.

President Donald Trump suggested the campaign could wrap up "very soon," though Pentagon officials indicated the coming phase could involve the most intense strikes yet.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told reporters the next round of strikes would be among the heaviest of the war and described it as a focused effort to degrade strategic targets while protecting US forces.

Administration officials say a broader timeline has been unfolding for weeks, with military planners positioning assets ahead of the conflict, including missile deployments and additional naval destroyers, as part of a four- to six-week operational window envisioned by Trump's national security team.

Leavitt said, "The US military is drawing up additional options following the president's directive to continue keeping the Strait of Hormuz open," and added, "I will not broadcast what those options look like, but just know the president is not afraid to use them."

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She also warned that operations will end only when objectives are met, saying, "Ultimately, the operations will end when the commander in chief determines the military objectives have been met and Iran is in a position of complete and unconditional surrender—whether they say it or not."

For now, Washington says its priority remains to keep the Strait of Hormuz open while avoiding steps that could further widen the conflict, and Leavitt warned, "If they do anything to stop the flow of oil or goods within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the world’s most powerful military."