US Energy Secretary Defends Strait of Hormuz Oil Traffic Claims Amid Skepticism

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the administration of President Donald Trump on Sunday regarding claims that millions of barrels of crude oil continue to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Fox News, Mr Wright stated that the running average through the southern route of the waterway was nine million barrels of oil per day, supplemented by up to five million barrels through pipeline routes. He added that nearly 18 million barrels passed through the strait early last week, despite shipping traffic data from Kpler and the IMF's PortWatch monitor showing significantly lower numbers.

“They're not an opinion. There's no math magic,” Mr Wright said on Fox News Sunday, dismissing commercial organizations that lack insight into the actual data. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped notably since the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian retaliation against regional energy sites. In response, the US imposed a naval blockade, with US Central Command reporting the redirection of 92 commercial vessels, the disabling of three, and the boarding of two.

Mr Wright emphasized that the blockade serves to halt Iranian crude while safeguarding traffic flow, noting that the US Navy is actively ensuring safe passage. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned of heavier retaliation and acknowledged severe economic pressures, noting that the Iranian rial has lost over 60 percent of its value since March alongside soaring inflation. As the US prepares to target another Iran-linked bank, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted international efforts to sever Iran's financial lifelines with the backing of the EU and global partners.