The White House swiftly denied the assertion, calling it inaccurate, while Iranian officials blasted Washington for spreading misinformation to manipulate global oil markets.
The controversy began when Wright posted on social media at 1:02 PM US Eastern Time (17:00 GMT) that the US Navy had successfully escorted an oil tanker through the strategic waterway.
He praised US President Donald Trump’s administration for “maintaining stability of global energy during the military operations against Iran.”
However, the post was deleted within 30 minutes, without explanation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that no such escort had taken place.
“I can confirm that the US Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time,” she told reporters.
She added that while military escorts remained an option, no operation had been conducted as of Tuesday.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage between Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, handles over 20% of the world’s oil supply.
Yet, since the US and Israel launched an unprovoked military aggression against Iran on February 28, commercial traffic through the strait has stalled due to fears of Iranian retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed Wright’s deleted post as deliberate misinformation.
“US officials are posting fake news to manipulate markets,” he wrote on social media.
“It won’t protect them from the inflationary tsunami they’ve imposed on Americans.”
Araqchi further warned that global oil markets faced their “biggest shortfall in history,” surpassing the combined impact of the Arab Oil Embargo, Iran’s Islamic Revolution, and the Kuwait invasion.
The Trump administration has repeatedly pledged to ensure the free flow of energy through the strait.
On March 3, Trump claimed on Truth Social that the US Development Finance Corporation would offer “political risk insurance and guarantees” for vessels transiting Hormuz at a “very reasonable price.”
He also hinted at potential military support, stating, “If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible,” yet non achieved.
However, General Dan Caine, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, contradicted Wright’s claim on Tuesday. He confirmed that no military operations to protect oil tankers in the strait had yet begun.
The disruption in Hormuz has already sent oil prices soaring, with the American Automobile Association reporting a 43-cent spike in US gasoline prices over the past week.
The average price now stands at $3.54 per gallon (94 cents per liter).
Public opposition to the war with Iran remains high in the US.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday found that 53% of US voters strongly opposed military action against Iran.
A separate Reuters-Ipsos survey last week showed even stronger disapproval, with 60% of respondents opposing the war.