Snopes.com6%
13 claims we've investigated involving Strait of Hormuz 25%
By Aleksandra Wrona9%
7/18/2026, 6:00:09 PM
BS Summary: This article contains 24 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Authority, Unattributed Quote, and Ambiguity (Equivocation), with Negativity Bias as the most egregious example at 10.5% saturation with 68 hits. Analysis detected 626 faulty-reasoning hits from 648 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 37.9% and a BS Rank of 25% (13,475 of 17,974 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 75.00% of the article peer group.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes, carrying about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum product consumption.
The war with Iran effectively closed the waterway, disrupting shipping and contributing to volatile oil prices.
Although a June 2026 agreement was intended to reopen the strait, renewed exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran delayed that process.
Commercial traffic slowed again, leading to uncertainty over when vessels would be able to pass through safely and reliably.
The war has fueled a wave of rumors regarding the critical waterway.
Below are 13 claims about the Strait of Hormuz that we've investigated:
Newt Gingrich posted about using nukes to create Strait of Hormuz alternative
It's unclear whether the former House speaker knew the proposal stemmed from a satirical article.
Read More
No solid evidence Argentine navy deployed warships to Strait of Hormuz to protect oil tankers
The claim may have been generated by AI tools.
The Argentine government had not publicly acknowl ...
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French general compared helping US secure Strait of Hormuz to buying discounted Titanic ticket
Gen.
Michel Yakovleff is a frequent guest on French news programs known for blunt assertions and ...
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Did Iranian media release animated 'Lord of the Straits' video?
We investigated
It appears the video originated from a pro-government Iranian social media user.
Read More
Does video show Pakistani-flagged tanker burning in Strait of Hormuz?
Here's the truth
The International Maritime Organization confirmed 18 incidents of damage to ships in the strait ...
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Did Kid Rock address Pentagon about Strait of Hormuz?
Photo is miscaptioned
Social media users shared an image allegedly showing the musician speaking to Defense Department ...
Read More
Don't add fuel to claim Trump's 'Operation Invisible Pump' bans gas price signs
No credible news outlet reported on the alleged ban.
Read More
Sen.
Chris Murphy wrote 'awesome' in response to Iranian ships evading US blockade.
Here's context
The Connecticut Democrat shared the one-word X post in response to a report that 26 Iranian vess ...
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Don't fall for claim US Navy officer refused Trump's order to strike Iran
Facebook posts claimed Rear Adm.
Paul Lanzilotta "issued a formal legal rebuttal" to Trump befor ...
Read More
Did Trump say 'a whole civilization will die tonight' ahead of Iran deadline?
Screenshots featuring the president's alleged ominous statement began circulating on April 7, 2026.
Read More
Did Trump share Easter post threatening Iran to open Strait of Hormuz or be 'living in hell'?
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump wrote, ...
Read More
Analyzing claim Trump insider bet $51M on oil prices dropping before US announced Iran ceasefire
An anti-Trump media outlet alleged an ally of the U.S. president's administration was illegally ...
Read More
Did Trump request prayers for Allah to open 'Strait of Hormel'?
Don't be fooled
Social media users shared an alleged presidential X post image in April 2026, weeks after he tru ...
Read More
Sources
Alashray, Enas, and Tala Ramadan.
'US Launches New Round of Strikes against Iran as Escalation Threatens Shipping'.
Reuters, 15 July 2026, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-block-more-vital-seaways-trump-orders-renewed-iran-blockade-2026-07-15/.
Amid Regional Conflict, the Strait of Hormuz Remains Critical Oil Chokepoint - U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA). https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?
id=65504.
Accessed 15 July 2026.
Saul, Jonathan, and Florence Tan.
'Hormuz Traffic Slows to Two-Month Low as Renewed US, Iran Strikes Raise Safety Risk'.
Reuters, 13 July 2026, https://www.www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hormuz-traffic-slows-multi-week-low-renewed-us-iran-strikes-raise-safety-risk-2026-07-13/.
Short-Term Energy Outlook - U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA). https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/global_oil.php.
Accessed 15 July 2026.
US and Iran Sign Initial Deal to End War, Ease Sanctions and Open Strait as Nuclear Talks Continue.
AP News, 17 June 2026, https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-oil-deal-june-17-2026-19652f4611b704c0a991bf1f5bc9a4b9.
Article Tags
By Aleksandra Wrona
Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw, Poland, area.
Published July 18, 2026
Analysis
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