Fact Check: Is Trump's claim that Iran has forced its ships toward the US to get oil true?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the capture of an Iranian cargo ship while attempting to break the American blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump has claimed that the Iranian leadership is sending their ships to various US cities to get oil, sparking questions about the claim. Let us analyze and fact-check the authenticity of the claim.
Claim: Donald Trump claims Iran is sending ships toward the United States
Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Monday, April 20, claimed that the Iranian leadership is sending ships toward Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to "get their oil."
It is being seen as Trump's attempt to spin the global oil crisis he triggered as good for the US and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as disastrous for Iran.
The post states, “The Iranian leadership has forced hundreds of Ships toward the United States, mostly Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to get their Oil — Thank you very much! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The post has triggered speculations among online users, who are asking for proof of the claim and accusing him of spreading misinformation.
Fact Check: Iranian embassy rebuts Donald Trump's claim
Reacting to the POTUS' claim, the Iranian Embassy in Ghana took to X and said that Trump is "selling imaginary oil to imaginary ships in an imaginary port in Alaska."
It further stated that Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska together produce 7.6 million barrels for domestic consumption, while Hormuz moves 20 million barrels of oil a day.
It also claimed that "a single Chinese supertanker could dry the Alaskan oil in a week."
The post ended by describing Trump as the man who “lost the strait.”
Trump announces the US Navy intercepted and 'took full custody' of an Iranian-flagged ship
In a dramatic Truth Social post, Trump claimed the Navy “blew a hole in the engine room” after the crew ignored warnings, marking another sharp escalation in the standoff with Tehran.
According to him, the vessel identified as the TOUSKA was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman by the USS Spruance after trying to push through the blockade zone.
“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump wrote.
He said US forces issued warnings before taking action.
“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” Trump added.
The president further claimed American forces had boarded the ship and taken control. “We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” he wrote.
