Trump Says Massive Empty Oil Tankers Head To U.S. For ‘World’s Best’ Crude As Hormuz Tensions Persist

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a large number of empty oil tankers are heading towards the United States to load crude oil and gas, at a time when global shipping is being affected by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that “massive numbers” of empty tankers, including some of the largest in the world, are already on their way to the US.

He added that the country is ready to load them quickly and described American oil and gas as the “best and sweetest” in the world. He also claimed that the US has more oil than the next two largest oil economies combined.

His statement comes days after he announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 7. The deal was linked to the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that carries about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil.

Before the ceasefire, tensions had risen sharply. Trump had warned that Iran could face strikes on its power plants and bridges if it continued to block the strait.

Even after the ceasefire, tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz remains lower than usual. Iran has said it still has control over the waterway and has reportedly looked at charging ships for safe passage.

The United States has rejected this idea, saying the strait must remain open without any fees or limits. This difference in position has now become clear at the top political level.

Trump also said that the movement of tankers towards the US is not because of a blockage in the strait and added that the route is expected to reopen fully soon.

At the same time, talks between the US and Iran have started in Islamabad, with Pakistan acting as a mediator.

JD Vance is leading the US side, along with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran’s team includes Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi.

Shehbaz Sharif has called the talks a “make-or-break moment” and said the aim is to keep discussions going.

The United States is currently the world’s largest producer of crude oil, mainly due to shale production in areas like the Permian Basin in Texas. Its crude is often called “light sweet crude” because it has low sulphur and is easier to refine into fuels like petrol and diesel.

However, countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia still hold some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world.

References: Reuters, Economic Times