US Energy Dept: staffer incorrectly captioned Wright's Hormuz video — escort 'being considered' as option

A US Department of Energy spokesperson provided the official explanation for Energy Secretary Chris Wright's deleted Hormuz escort post: the video clip was deleted from Wright's official X account 'after it was determined that it was incorrectly captioned by department staff.' Spokesperson Ben Dietderich said Secretary Wright and other officials are 'closely monitoring the situation' in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military is 'considering additional options to keep it open, including the potential for our Navy to escort tankers,' Dietderich said. The spokesperson added that 'the prospect of military escorts could help reduce price pressures created by the war.' The Energy Department's explanation — staff error, not a policy reversal — is consistent with the White House framing: the US intends to escort tankers eventually, it just hasn't happened yet. Leavitt confirmed the US has 'offered US Navy escort to tankers when necessary' but that no escort has yet taken place. The staffer explanation also avoids a direct admission that Wright was wrong — preserving the Energy Secretary's credibility while closing down the episode.