US Secretary of War’s Claim Regarding the Strait of Hormuz

On Saturday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated his president's claims concerning the oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth claimed that the volume of oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz is even higher than it was in the days prior to the war.

He stated: "More oil is passing through the Strait of Hormuz today than before the conflict began, because extraordinary pilots are in control of the airspace."

In recent days, US officials—including President Donald Trump—have repeatedly claimed that the volume of oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz has surpassed pre-war levels.

This comes as the US and Europe continue to draw upon their strategic oil reserves to meet both domestic and global demands.

Hegseth also addressed the status of the aircraft carrier *Abraham Lincoln*, noting: "There was a great deal of targeted publicity surrounding the *Abraham Lincoln*, yet 80 percent of the personnel in that carrier strike group expressed their readiness to extend their service."

The *Lincoln* departed its home port of San Diego on November 21, 2025, and its mission was extended multiple times due to the war with Iran.

Previously, various US media outlets had published reports regarding the poor condition of the *Abraham Lincoln* and its crew. These reports raised concerns about the sailors' mental health, deck safety, shortages of equipment and food, water contamination, and disruptions to the mail system, alongside reports of suicides aboard the vessel.