(R) U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off of Air Force One at Miami International Airport on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) / (Background) Singaporean oil tanker “Great Thita” is moored at the port of Los Angeles, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Staff Addie Davis 3:25 PM – Sunday, April 12, 2026
Large numbers of empty oil tankers from many nations are heading to the U.S. to load up, President Donald Trump said.
“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!” Trump posted to Truth Social Saturday morning.
“We have more oil than the next two largest oil economies combined,” he added.
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. We have more oil than the next two largest oil economies combined…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) April 11, 2026
His statements come in the midst of high oil and gas costs caused by the conflict in Iran, which began on February 28th with the advent of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic Republic. Trump and his administration officials have repeatedly emphasized a main goal of the campaign is to dismantle Iranian nuclear capabilities.
Since the start of the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed, with minimal traffic flowing through. This closure has sent global shockwaves across world economies, as the waterway traffics roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
On Saturday, the president claimed efforts are underway to clear the strait of mines laid by the Iranians, which he labelled as extortion.
Speaking with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News ‘Sunday Morning Futures,’ he said other countries, including the UK, are sending minesweepers to help with the efforts.
He also announced on Sunday morning that the U.S. is implementing a blockade of the waterway.
“Effective Immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted to Truth Social.
He said he instructed the navy to “seek and interdict” vessels in international waters that have paid a toll to Iran.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the blockade of Iranian ports will take effect at 10 a.m. ET. CENTCOM also noted that the “freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports” will not be impeded.
The cost of oil and gas has gone up since the announcement of the blockade, with the price of crude oil sitting at about $105 per barrel as of Sunday, according to Trading Economics. This is a significant increase from the under $95 per barrel cost following Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between the two countries on Tuesday. However, it is still lower than the more than $110 per barrel before the ceasefire. Pre-conflict prices were under $70 per barrel.
Gas prices are also sitting high, with the national average at over $4.10 per gallon, with California experiencing the highest costs at under $6 per gallon, according to AAA.
In his interview with Bartiromo, Trump said Sunday that oil and gas prices will go down, though it may not happen initially.
Trump has repeatedly pointed out the fact that the U.S. receives minimal amounts oil from the Strait of Hormuz and has criticized countries, including allies, that rely upon the strait for not assisting in efforts to reopen it.
The president’s announcement comes after negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to come a permanent deal failed in Islamabad over the weekend. Vice President JD Vance noted a key sticking point was that the U.S. did not see a commitment from Iran to not seek a nuclear weapon in the future.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
