BlockBeats news: On March 11, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright mistakenly posted and later deleted a message on social media claiming that the U.S. Navy had escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The message triggered significant market volatility, causing international oil prices to briefly plummet nearly 20%, with U.S. WTI crude oil prices dropping below $77 per barrel.
Subsequently, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the U.S. Navy has not yet escorted any tankers or vessels through the strait, but the military is evaluating various options, including naval escort, to address potential Iranian restrictions on shipping.
On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump posted consecutively on social media, stating that the United States had not received any reports of Iran laying mines in the strait, but urged Iran to remove any potential explosive devices, and added that U.S. forces had destroyed 10 "inactive minelayers."
The Middle East conflict has now entered its 11th day. Pete Hegseth stated that the United States and Israel are continuously striking Iranian targets and will continue operations until their adversary is defeated. Meanwhile, approximately 150 U.S. military personnel have been injured in the conflict.
Due to the conflict, energy transportation in the Persian Gulf remains disrupted, with signs of production cuts emerging in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait, further fueling market concerns about global energy supply.