Trump calls for permanent removal of Hormuz Strait mines, Energy Secretary's claim that "U.S. warships have escorted oil tankers" was challenged by Iran, both posts deleted

The U.S. government’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz is becoming increasingly confused—Energy Secretary claims the Navy successfully escorted a tanker, then quickly deletes the post, and the White House urgently clarifies that “the Navy did not move at all.” Former President Trump also deleted and reposted his message. Polls show only 33% of the public believe he clearly explained the purpose of the actions against Iran.
(Background: Trump “temporarily halts Iran oil seizure”: further blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would be a 20-fold escalation; EU releases oil reserves in response)
(Additional context: Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz and “fires on more than ten oil tankers”! Trump warns: tolerate rising oil prices for now, joint efforts with Germany and Israel to counter)

On the 10th, President Trump deleted his previous post about “Iranian mines” on Truth Social and then reposted a revised version. In the new post, Trump stated that the U.S. is using the same technology and missile capabilities as in drug interdiction to “permanently eliminate” any ships attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that “these targets will be swiftly and severely struck.”

Previously, in the deleted original message, Trump said that if Iran laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz—despite no reports of such activity—he demanded immediate removal, or else face “unprecedented military consequences.” He also expressed goodwill, saying that if Iran removes any mines it may have laid, “that would be a big step in the right direction.”

Energy Secretary’s “Escort Success” Quickly Deleted, White House Urgently Clarifies

On the same day Trump repeatedly revised his wording, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also caused a stir. Wright posted on social media claiming that “the U.S. Navy successfully escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the continued flow of oil to global markets,” but the post was quietly deleted shortly afterward.

Sources confirmed to the media that the U.S. Navy has not actually provided escort for any tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. It is understood that over the past week, the U.S. government has been discussing the timing and conditions for launching naval escort operations, but no action has been taken yet.

White House Press Secretary Lievitt later officially clarified at a press conference that the U.S. Navy “is not currently escorting any tankers or other ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” but added that this “of course remains an option,” and Trump “will definitely use it at the appropriate time.” Lievitt also said that Trump “does not rule out” using any military options against Iran, including deploying ground forces.

Iran quickly responded. The commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said that the claim of U.S. military escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is “pure lies,” warning that “any actions by the U.S. and its allies will be blocked within Iran’s missile and drone range.”

U.S. Media Criticize Trump’s Inconsistent Remarks on Iran

In an analysis published on the 10th, U.S. news site Axios pointed out that Trump’s statements on Iran in various interviews, press conferences, and social media are contradictory and lack consistency—sometimes setting deadlines for conflict, then reversing, sometimes predicting an end to war and then promising escalation, even claiming he must choose Iran’s new leader, though the U.S. government denies its goal is regime change.

The official U.S. government stance is clear: its three main objectives are to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability, end its support for terrorism, and defeat its naval forces. But Trump’s own statements are evidently more ambiguous.

A recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos revealed public confusion: out of 1,021 respondents, only 33% believe Trump clearly articulated the purpose of military actions against Iran, highlighting serious communication divisions within the White House.