White House and Energy Trackers Clash Over Oil Traffic in Strait of Hormuz

A sharp disagreement has emerged between independent shipping trackers and the Trump administration over how much oil is actually flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, as renewed military clashes between the US and Iran push crude prices above $95 a barrel.

Ship-tracking service Kpler reported a steep decline in traffic, with only five ships crossing the strait on the same day the US and Iran exchanged fire. In stark contrast, Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed that over 17 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway that same day, describing it as a record since the conflict began. Administration officials say US Navy assistance to shipping vessels at night is going undetected by commercial tracking systems.

President Trump weighed in on Wednesday, again claiming that the US is in control and positing, “Should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT?”

Independent Data Tells a Different Story

Multiple independent sources, including the IMF, Oxford University and maritime tracker TankerTrackers.com, have recorded far lower activity levels for weeks, with crossing numbers remaining in the single digits compared to pre-conflict levels of roughly 120 vessels per day. Much of the traffic that does pass through reportedly uses a northern route closer to Iranian territory.

President Trump has continued to insist the US maintains control over the strait, even suggesting it be renamed in his honor, deepening skepticism among analysts and energy experts about the accuracy of the administration’s claims.