Blame The Intern? How White House's Deleted Strait Of Hormuz Post Sent Oil Markets Into A Frenzy

Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 10:02 IST

Chaos began when a social media post from the US energy secretary triggered confusion across global energy markets after claiming the Navy had escorted an oil tanker through Hormuz

The White House has done it again. Barely a month after it blamed a staffer for “mistakenly" sharing a video depicting former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, it has once again blamed an intern for its latest gaffe on the Strait of Hormuz.

The chaos began when a short-lived social media post from US energy secretary Chris Wright triggered confusion across global energy markets this week after claiming the United States Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement was quickly deleted and later contradicted by the White House, but not before it rippled through financial markets and sparked a propaganda exchange with Iranian officials.

The now-deleted message suggested the operation ensured “oil remains flowing to global markets". However, within hours, the White House clarified that no escort had actually taken place, and the claim was inaccurate, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Officials later said the post was the result of an incorrectly captioned message by an intern, and it was removed soon after publication.

The correction assumed significance as it came at a sensitive moment: the United States and Israel are engaged in a military confrontation with Iran, and shipping through the Strait has been severely disrupted.

The narrow waterway normally carries around 20 per cent of global oil supplies, making even small changes in its status extremely important for markets.

IRAN’S MOCKERY

While America may have thought it was quick to delete the tweet, social media, unfortunately for them, always has evidence.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was quick to jump on the bandwagon and in a post on X, he mocked the US’ claim, writing: “An oil tanker crossed Strait of Hormuz escorted by US Navy ships? Maybe on PlayStation!"

Iranian authorities used the incident to argue that Washington was spreading misleading information about the situation in the Strait. Iranian officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also publicly denied that any US naval escort had occurred.

The episode quickly became a propaganda moment, with Iranian officials highlighting the deleted post to question America and US President Donald Trump’s credibility during the conflict.

WHY IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ SO CRUCIAL?

According to Reuters, roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean.

Before the US-Israel-Iran war, about 138 ships transited daily. However, attacks on tankers and threats of mines have drastically reduced traffic.

Security risks are high enough that the US Navy has reportedly told shipping companies that regular escorts are currently too dangerous, even though they remain a possible option.

HOW DID ONE POST MOVE OIL MARKETS?

The mistaken claim briefly suggested that the crisis might be easing and oil traders reacted almost instantly. There was short-lived relief as traders believed supply disruptions may be ending and the worst-case energy shock might be avoided.

As per Wall Street Journal, oil prices fell sharply after the escort claim, signalling potential de-escalation. At one point, benchmark US crude futures fell by as much as 15-19 per cent intraday.

Modern commodity markets are heavily driven by algorithmic trading systems that scan news headlines and social media. According to reports, these systems are designed to react to keywords like “Hormuz", “tanker escort", and “shipping resumes".

So, when the message appeared from a cabinet-level official, automated systems and human traders both interpreted it as credible confirmation that supply risks were falling. The result was a rapid wave of selling in oil futures, pushing prices down.

However, prices soon rebounded after officials clarified the claim was false. The swings contributed to one of the most volatile trading periods in years for energy markets.

The broader conflict had already pushed crude prices close to $120 per barrel earlier in the week, reflecting fears that oil exports from the Gulf could be disrupted.

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