Trump Says Secret Operation Supported Ships Through Strait of Hormuz, Over 100 Million Barrels Supplied

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on June 10 (local time) that a secret operation conducted by the U.S. military since last month to support the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has enabled a massive amount of crude oil to be supplied to the global market.

President Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, "Last month, I directed our great U.S. Military to conduct a secret operation to support tankers and other commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz."

He continued, "I am pleased to announce today that as a result of this effort, over 100 million barrels of oil have passed through the Strait and been supplied to the open market," adding that "more than 200 commercial ships have passed through the Strait safely."

President Trump further emphasized, "This highly successful effort is thanks to the fact that the United States, not Iran, is controlling the Strait of Hormuz," and asserted, "Their military is defeated, their economy is in shambles. Iran is finished."

This statement follows remarks made by President Trump earlier that day at an event in the Oval Office, where he said, "We have been pulling out millions of barrels of oil every night. I am announcing this for the first time today," providing more specific details and figures regarding the oil supply.

He also noted that thanks to this oil supply, "Oil prices are at the $85 to $90 per barrel level, not $250. When the war ends, (oil prices) will plummet."

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright also stated the previous day that the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is "increasing very significantly."

Previously, on May 4, President Trump announced the launch of "Project Freedom" to assist commercial vessels trapped in the area due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, he declared a halt to the project just one day later, on May 5, citing progress in peace negotiations with Iran.

However, President Trump's remarks today are interpreted to mean that while the public operation to support the passage of commercial vessels such as oil tankers was halted, the U.S. military has continued to carry out a similar operation in secret.

Apart from the U.S. military's support for the passage of civilian ships, Iran continues its blockade of the Strait, and the U.S. military is also maintaining a "counter-blockade," intercepting all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.