WASHINGTON, June 10, 2026 — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a congressional hearing Wednesday that he is not aware of the United States taking millions of barrels of oil out of Iran, directly following claims by President Donald Trump that such operations have occurred.
During an Oval Office appearance earlier in the day, President Trump asserted that the U.S. has secretly moved millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, including a recent nighttime operation involving 22 ships with lights off. Trump described the effort as unknown to Iran until his public comments and later claimed on social media that more than 100 million barrels and over 200 commercial ships have safely transited the strait under U.S. support.
When questioned by lawmakers about the president’s remarks, Wright stated he had no knowledge of U.S. forces extracting millions of barrels directly from Iran. However, he confirmed that the U.S. military has assisted in moving some oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint between Iran and Oman that handles about one-fifth of global oil trade.
Wright had told reporters and an energy conference on Tuesday that oil traffic through the strait has risen “very meaningfully” in the past week and is expected to continue increasing amid efforts to stabilize the region following months of conflict.
The comments come against a backdrop of elevated energy prices contributing to U.S. inflation. The Consumer Price Index for May rose to 4.2% annually, its highest level since April 2023, largely driven by energy costs linked to disruptions in the Middle East.
The apparent discrepancy highlights tensions between public statements from the White House and details provided by administration officials in formal settings. Wright’s testimony occurred during a House hearing on the Department of Energy’s fiscal year 2027 budget request.
No immediate response from the White House was available on the secretary’s remarks.
Reporting based on Reuters, congressional proceedings, and presidential statements.
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