WASHINGTON, D.C. June 10, 2026 — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States has conducted a covert operation to remove “millions of barrels of oil” from Iran, claiming the effort has kept global crude prices at $85–$90 per barrel rather than allowing them to spike to $250 amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said for the first time publicly: “We’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil. Nobody knows it. You know who doesn’t know about it? Iran, until right now.” He added that the operations involved moving oil “every night” and that Iran had only recently become aware.
The president linked the claims to a broader military effort to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated he directed the U.S. military last month on a “secret mission” to support oil tankers and commercial ships. He claimed the operation successfully moved more than 100 million barrels of oil and over 200 commercial ships through the strait into the open market.
“This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran,” Trump wrote. “Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!”
The announcements come against the backdrop of the 2026 U.S.-Iran tensions, which escalated after U.S. and Israeli military actions. Iran has attempted to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint carrying roughly 20% of global oil — through attacks on vessels, leading to a U.S.-led naval presence and escort operations.
Shipping analysts note complex maneuvers, including ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, use of autonomous systems, and efforts to bypass risks, with some Gulf producers like Kuwait adjusting contracts. Maritime experts, including Sal Mercogliano, have described ongoing tanker movements and U.S. support via Project Freedom.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has reportedly stated he was unaware of direct seizures of Iranian oil, while other officials frame the efforts as preventing Iranian exports rather than confiscating cargo.
Trump praised the operation for averting higher prices and predicted further drops once the conflict ends: “When the military conflict with Iran is over, you will see oil drop to where it was before.” He also called recent inflation data “great” in the same remarks.
Critics and online commentators have questioned the feasibility and details of secretly extracting millions of barrels nightly without detection, with some suggesting the comments refer to escorted non-Iranian oil flows or strategic petroleum reserve management. U.S. gasoline prices remain elevated near $4.15 per gallon in some areas amid the disruptions.
No independent verification of large-scale Iranian oil seizures has been publicly detailed, and the White House has not released evidence or operational specifics.
The revelations add to the volatile mix of geopolitics, energy markets, and U.S. foreign policy as peace talks with Iran remain stalled.
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