Viral social media reports claiming that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz were officially debunked by the White House on Wednesday morning. The rumors surfaced following a period of heightened regional tension involving Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
The claims originated from the popular news account @pubity and spread rapidly across various digital platforms. The posts alleged that Iranian forces had blocked the critical waterway as a direct retaliation for military operations in Lebanese territory.
Initial reports suggested that a high-stakes ceasefire between the United States and Iran was in immediate jeopardy. The diplomatic agreement had been announced less than 24 hours before the unverified reports of the closure began to circulate.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation during a scheduled press conference today. She told reporters that the administration has verified that the Strait remains open to international shipping and that traffic is flowing normally.
Leavitt characterized the viral reports as false and urged the public to rely on official government updates. She emphasized that the administration under President Donald Trump remains committed to maintaining the stability of the recently established ceasefire.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as the world’s most significant oil chokepoint, with approximately 20 to 30 percent of global oil trade passing through the narrow passage daily. Any disruption to the route has the potential to cause immediate spikes in global energy prices.
Market analysts noted a brief period of volatility in oil futures as the unconfirmed reports gained traction online. However, prices stabilized shortly after the official clarification from the White House was broadcast.
The reports were accompanied by images showing military maneuvers and shipping maps, which added to the sense of urgency among social media users. Fact-checkers later noted that the visual materials were used without context or verified timestamps.
Israeli military activity in Lebanon has targeted Hezbollah-related infrastructure in recent days, creating a complex backdrop for the fragile US-Iran diplomatic efforts. The ceasefire was intended to prevent a broader regional escalation following months of friction.
President Trump has consistently prioritized the protection of global energy markets and the securing of maritime trade routes. Administration officials confirmed that they are maintaining direct lines of communication with regional partners to ensure the ceasefire holds.
Journalistic observers noted that the rapid spread of the misinformation highlights the volatility of the current information environment during Middle Eastern conflicts. Verifying ground-level military movements remains a challenge for news outlets during active escalations.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no credible reports of Iranian maritime blockades have been confirmed by independent monitors or naval authorities in the Persian Gulf. The situation remains fluid as the international community monitors the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The White House confirmed it will continue to provide updates as necessary to prevent market panic and ensure the accuracy of reports concerning national security. For now, the critical global artery remains functional and unobstructed.