The minister's post shook the oil market - then it was dele

Isak Fritzo

Published 20.15

A startling post on X from the US Secretary of Energy caused oil prices to fall.

An hour later it was deleted.

Now both the US and Iran state that the event - which pushed down oil prices - never happened.

Quick version

• A social media post by the US Secretary of Energy caused a brief decline in oil prices, before it was soon deleted.
• Both the US and Iran denied that the alleged escort of an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz had taken place.
• The US military leadership is considering options for escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, according to the top military commander.

"The US Navy has successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that oil continues to flow to global markets," Energy Secretary Chris Wright wrote on X on Tuesday evening.

Oil prices then plummeted to $80 a barrel.

An hour later, the post was deleted and oil prices rose again.

"I can confirm that the US Navy has not escorted an oil tanker or vessel to date," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

"But it is of course an option that Donald Trump has said he will absolutely use if and when necessary."

A spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guard also denies the now-deleted information from Chris Wright, according to Iranian media.

Chris Wright has not yet commented on the post on X.

          

        An oil storage facility was on fire in Tehran after attacks on Sunday Photo: Vahid Salemi / AP

The military sees over alternatives

The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked by Iran since the US and Israel attacked the country.

Ships that wanted to pass through have been threatened by Iran. This has in turn led to skyrocketing oil prices.

US President Donald Trump raised the idea of ​​escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz already last week.

- When the time comes, the US Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the strait if necessary. I hope it will not be necessary, Trump said.

On Tuesday morning, the US top military commander, General Dan Caine, said that the military will "look at different options" if they are tasked with escorting ships through the strait.

           

            

          Energy Secretary Chris Wright shook the oil market with his statement.1 / 2Photo: Rebecca                        Blackwell / AP / TT