Trump Claims U.S. Operations Have Removed Millions of Barrels of Iranian Oil During Conflict

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump stated on June 10, 2026, that U.S. forces have quietly removed millions of barrels of Iranian oil from circulation during the ongoing conflict, an operation he said helped stabilize global oil prices amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump revealed details of the previously undisclosed effort. “We’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil. Nobody knows it,” he said. “We’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil, millions of barrels every night.”

Trump linked the actions to recent U.S. naval operations, claiming forces targeted 22 ships operating without lights due to degraded Iranian radar capabilities. “We took out the other night 22 ships late at night with no lights because they don’t have any radar,” he added. “Because we blasted the crap out of it.”

The president credited these efforts with preventing a sharper spike in oil prices, stating, “That’s why oil is $85 a barrel... Millions of barrels of oil has come out, and that’s why it’s at $85, $90 a barrel instead of $250.” He noted he had withheld public comment earlier to avoid compromising the operation but felt comfortable disclosing it now that details had surfaced.

The remarks align with the U.S. naval blockade and interdiction efforts in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which have significantly curtailed Iranian oil exports since the conflict intensified. Independent reporting has documented U.S. forces boarding and redirecting Iranian-linked tankers, alongside strikes on military targets associated with oil infrastructure such as Kharg Island. These actions have contributed to a sharp reduction in Iran’s ability to export crude, with storage facilities reportedly filling and production curtailed.

While Trump framed the operations as directly removing large volumes of Iranian oil, details on exact seizure volumes and disposition remain limited in public reporting. The broader strategy has focused on enforcing the blockade, interdicting smuggling attempts, and degrading Iran’s export capacity to apply maximum economic pressure.

The comments come as indirect negotiations with Iran remain stalled. Trump has grown increasingly vocal about Tehran’s delays, warning the regime will “pay the price” for failing to reach a deal. U.S. officials have maintained that sustained pressure through sanctions, naval presence, and targeted actions is essential to securing verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear program and restoring safe navigation in international waters.

This latest disclosure underscores the Trump administration’s multifaceted approach combining military interdiction with diplomacy to weaken Iran’s economy while mitigating global energy market fallout. Oil markets reacted with measured movements following the remarks, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the region.

Further details on the scale and specifics of oil removal operations are expected to emerge as the administration continues its maximum pressure campaign.