Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took potshots at US after energy secretary Chris Wright mistakenly claimed the American Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz.
"President Trump is maintaining stability of global energy during the military operations against Iran. The US Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil remains flowing to global markets," Wright wrote in a post which he later deleted.
Ghalibaf seized on the moment and wrote, "An oil tanker crossed Strait of Hormuz escorted by US Navy ships? Maybe on PlayStation!"
But the damage was already done. Wright's wrong announcement briefly sent crude prices tumbling, before a clarification from the White House confirmed no such operation had taken place. Wright's since‑removed message suggested a tanker had safely transited the strategic chokepoint under US Navy protection. The claim rapidly gained traction across energy and geopolitical circles, prompting traders to price in the possibility of reduced tensions in the region. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped to $87, while Brent slid to $91.
ALSO READ: Oil Prices Drop Sharply Amid Reports Of IEA Proposing Largest Ever Release
But hours later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that the escort never occurred, adding only that the US military was considering 'additional options' should Iran attempt to restrict trade through the vital waterway. The clarification came too late to prevent markets from moving on information that was ultimately withdrawn.
A day earlier, the US military claimed taking out multiple Iranian vessels as the Islamic Republic vowed to block the region's oil exports and concerns grew about the country's threats to stop tankers from using a waterway through which 20% of the world's oil is shipped.
Oil prices, meanwhile, remained well below their peaks hit on Monday. Such spikes have been rocking financial markets worldwide because of worries that the war could block the global flow of oil and natural gas for a long time.
ALSO READ: Alternative For Hormuz Strait: How Global Oil Chokepoints Work And What They Mean For India
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.