Update to original story, 12:35 pm on June 11, 2026:
🚨 President Donald J. Trump on cancelled scheduled strikes against Iran. pic.twitter.com/iIijh6j5m2
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2026
President Donald Trump recently announced that the U.S. military conducted a secret mission to help more than 200 commercial ships carrying over 100 million barrels of oil safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing Iranian disruptions in the critical waterway.
Trump made the announcement on Wednesday. The following day (June 11), he warned that the U.S. would hit Iran “very hard tonight” if no peace deal is reached, following recent strikes on Iranian targets.
"The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT…" – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/9enjml7gkw
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2026
Trump detailed the operation in a Truth Social post, stating he directed the military last month to support oil tankers and commercial vessels through the strait. “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,” he wrote. He added that the U.S. “CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran.”
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil and gas normally flows, has faced major disruptions since Iran declared it largely closed in early March 2026 following the start of U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28. Iran threatened and carried out attacks on vessels, sharply reducing traffic.
U.S. officials described the operation as escorting and guiding commercial shipping rather than a covert seizure of Iranian oil. A senior U.S. military official told The New York Times the effort involved steering dozens of commercial vessels through the waterway.
Oil Prices
As of June 11, 2026, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude traded around $89–$90 per barrel, while Brent crude was near $93 per barrel. Prices have fallen roughly 11–13% over the past month and about 20% from 2026 highs reached amid the initial conflict disruptions, when Brent approached or exceeded $116 per barrel in May.
Analysts attribute the decline partly to increased shipping through the strait via U.S.-supported operations, record U.S. production near 13.6 million barrels per day, and draws from Chinese reserves. However, uncertainty from ongoing strikes keeps markets volatile.
The strait was never completely sealed, reported Reuters. While Iran attempted to impose a blockade and attacked vessels, some tankers — including Chinese ones — continued transiting under adjusted procedures or with escorts.
Oil Price Outlook
Prior to the conflict that began on February 28, 2026, Brent crude traded around $70–$72 per barrel. Prices surged sharply after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, reaching peaks above $116–$120 per barrel in March and April.
Analysts project that if the conflict worsens and the strait is prolonged or near-totally closed, Brent crude could climb to $150–$200 per barrel or higher, according to Wood Mackenzie and other forecasters.
Conversely, if a ceasefire takes hold and shipping flows normalize, prices could ease toward $80 per barrel by the end of 2026 and potentially $65 per barrel in 2027, per Wood Mackenzie and EIA scenarios.
Latest on Iran Conflict
As stated prior, Trump stated the U.S. would hit Iran “very hard tonight” and threatened to assume “total control” of Iran’s oil and gas sectors, including Kharg Island, in the near future if no deal materializes.
Negotiations for a ceasefire and reopening of the strait continue, with Trump indicating a framework has been discussed but remains unsigned. Iran has rejected some terms and called certain ceasefire efforts “meaningless,” per CNN.
The conflict, now over 100 days old, began with U.S.-Israeli actions in late February 2026, as reported by The Dallas Express.
No verified public evidence supports claims of the U.S. secretly seizing Iranian oil itself. Trump’s announcement focused on facilitating commercial oil flows through the strait.
