Oil tanker mystery: the (removed) post by the US minister raises tensions

A removed tweet, an official denial from the White House, and the strong response from the Guardians of the Revolution. This is the backdrop of a true diplomatic and military "mystery" that has unfolded in recent hours around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical point for global oil trade, now the scene of a high-tension conflict.

It all began when U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, posted a triumphant message on the social network X: "An American Navy ship successfully escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz." Wright emphasized the importance of the operation, stating that "the President is maintaining global energy stability during military operations in Iran." However, the post was deleted shortly after, raising immediate questions about the veracity of the event.

Shortly thereafter, an official denial came from White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who clarified succinctly: "The United States did not escort any tanker through the Strait of Hormuz." A clear distancing, which seems to downplay the initiative — or announcement — of the Energy Secretary, leaving room for speculation about a possible communication error or an operation that, even if planned, never took place.

The incident did not go unnoticed in Tehran. The spokesperson for the Pasdaran (the Iranian Guardians of the Revolution), Ali-Mohammad Naïni, seized the opportunity to issue a media challenge, stating that "no American warship has dared to approach the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf, or the Strait of Hormuz during this conflict." For Iranian forces, the escort attempt — whether it happened or not — would have failed or not taken place precisely due to the deterrence exerted by their units in the region.

The episode, despite its confusion, confirms how the Strait of Hormuz has become a "media powder keg" as well as a military one. At a time when maritime traffic is virtually paralyzed and global energy routes are under severe strain, even a statement on social media can turn into a diplomatic incident, fueling a propaganda war that runs parallel to the real clashes on the ground.