US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had authorised a secret military operation last month to protect oil tankers and commercial vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Trump, the mission helped more than 100 million barrels of oil reach international markets safely.

Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social. He said the US military carried out the operation to ensure the safe movement of commercial shipping through one of the world's most important maritime routes.

“Last month, I directed our Great U.S. Military to execute a secret mission to support Oil Tankers and other Commercial Ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote.

Trump Says Operation Protected Hundreds of Ships

The US president claimed the mission allowed over 200 commercial vessels to pass through the strait without disruption. He also said the operation ensured the transport of more than 100 million barrels of oil to global markets.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market. More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait,” Trump said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes in the world. A large share of global oil exports passes through the narrow waterway, making it critical for international energy supplies.

Trump Claims US Controls the Strategic Waterway

Trump also asserted that the United States, not Iran, effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz. “This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran,” Trump said.

He went on to claim that Iran had suffered major losses. “Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!”

However, Trump did not provide any operational details or evidence to support his claims about the mission or its impact.

Tensions Between Washington and Tehran Remain High

Trump's comments come at a time of growing tensions between the United States and Iran. Recent military confrontations in the Gulf region have raised concerns about the safety of ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway remains a key route for global energy exports. Any disruption there can affect oil markets and international trade.

Project Freedom Was Briefly Launched Earlier This Year

The US launched a military initiative called Project Freedom in early May. The operation aimed to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising regional tensions.

However, the mission lasted only one day before Washington ended it. Trump later said the decision was part of efforts to bring the conflict in West Asia to an end. The war involving the US and Israel began on February 28.

Later in May, several American media outlets reported that the escort operation had resumed.

US Military Previously Denied Escort Reports

Despite those reports, the US Central Command (Centcom), which oversees American military operations in West Asia, denied that the Navy had restarted such activities.

At the time, Centcom said reports claiming the US Navy was “escorting or assisting commercial vessels” through the Strait of Hormuz were inaccurate.

Trump's latest statement has again drawn attention to the strategic waterway and the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, though questions remain about the details and scope of the operation he described.