U.S. Energy Minister Chris Wright posted on social media (SNS) on the 10th (local time) that the U.S. Navy had successfully escorted an oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, then deleted it.
Minister Wright wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that day, "President Trump is maintaining global energy stability even during military operations against Iran," and "the U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the continued supply of oil to the global market." Afterward, AFP reported that "it appears to be the first (escort) operation since the start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran," but Minister Wright deleted the post a few minutes later after news outlets worldwide pushed breaking alerts based on his post. Karoline Leavitt, White House Spokesperson, then said at a briefing that day that the post was not true. Spokesperson Leavitt said, "We can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted an oil tanker or vessel at this time."
After Iran threatened to burn all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the waterway was effectively shut, international oil prices surged, because the Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for global energy transport through which about 20% of the world's crude oil shipments pass. AFP said, "Markets were roiled by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, and oil prices plunged after Minister Wright posted," adding, "the losses narrowed after the post was deleted."
Earlier, on the 3rd, the Donald Trump administration said it would deploy naval power to conduct escort operations so that oil tankers carrying crude produced in the Middle East could pass safely through the strait. At a news conference on the 9th, President Trump also warned that if Iran plays a "game" of blocking oil supplies, "we will eliminate targets very quickly, and they will never recover."