US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington secretly moved at least 87 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz under cover of darkness, saying Iranian forces were unaware of the operations, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Speaking in an interview with Axios aired on Friday, Trump said the vessels were moved late at night with naval destroyers escorting them while all lights were switched off.
He added that the covert operations were made possible after the US military had previously “knocked out” Iran’s radar and defensive systems during the conflict.
Trump further claimed that for more than a month, “nobody knew” the origin of the oil being transported through the strategic waterway.
The remarks come amid ongoing disruption to global energy markets following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that reportedly began on Feb 28.
Separately, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said “Project Freedom” had successfully escorted about 125 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also told US Air Force personnel that oil shipments were flowing through the strait “like nobody has ever seen before,” claiming around 700 vessels were involved.
“There were a lot of about 700 of them, and they’re pouring out. The oil is all over the place,” he said, while reiterating that the United States possesses “the greatest military anywhere in the world.”
On diplomatic efforts, Trump said Iran has been given 60 days to reach a final agreement under a Memorandum of Understanding signed recently, warning of consequences if a deal is not reached.
He said the agreement was intended to prevent further escalation and ensure continued oil flow through the strait, adding that failure to comply would trigger unspecified actions.
The memorandum, according to Trump, was electronically signed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and is aimed at ending the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, as well as halting Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
