US Takes U-Turn On Escorting Oil Tankers Through Hormuz, Says Navy 'Not Ready'

Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 18:41 IST

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States is focused on destroying Iran's missile and navy capabilities at the moment.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday said the United States Navy is currently not prepared to begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, days after the Trump administration hinted that it was considering taking control of the strategic waterway that is virtually shut due to the ongoing war.

“It’ll happen relatively soon, but it can’t happen now. We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities," Wright told CNBC on Thursday.

He said the US was focused on completely destroying Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, accusing Tehran of building a “war machine."

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Wright’s statements came days after he claimed on social media that the US Navy escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, which led to a fall in crude oil prices. Wright later deleted the post, and the White House clarified that the US Navy did not escort any tanker through the strait, although that “remains an option." The Energy Department later blamed a staffer for wrongly posting the claim online.

ALSO READ: US Energy Secretary Deletes Post Claiming Navy Escorted Tanker Through Hormuz

Iran then accused the US of spreading “fake news" about escorting tankers through the chokepoint to manipulate financial markets, and warned that it will not allow any tanker to pass through the strait without the approval of the Iranian authorities.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard took control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments, after the US-Israeli strikes on February 28 triggered the war in the Gulf region. The war has pushed up crude oil and LNG prices, rattling consumers and businesses worldwide.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been forced to shut their oil and gas production after Iranian strikes at their energy infrastructure. The International Energy Agency has agreed to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war.

On Thursday, Iran ssued a warning that the world should be ready for oil at USD 200 per barrel, as it ramped up attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. “Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s military command, said in comments addressed to Washington.

This comes as the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommended a massive release of strategic reserves to dampen one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has thrown global energy markets and transport into chaos.

News world US Takes U-Turn On Escorting Oil Tankers Through Hormuz, Says Navy 'Not Ready'

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