Strait of Hormuz security operations by US forces have enabled Gulf exporters to ship more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since June, according to US Central Command, despite Iranian attempts to assert control over the vital waterway.
The command said on Sunday that it supported the passage of more than 3,000 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz over the past six months.
It added that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the channel have transited safely in recent months despite Iranian threats, which it said demonstrates that the United States and regional partners maintain control of the international waterway.
The figures were released as Commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited the region and reviewed the current operational environment in the strait during a flight aboard a US Army helicopter.
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry,” Cooper said in a statement. “This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Cooper said the main transit routes in the strait are free of Iranian mines due to what he called the “incredible efforts” of mine clearance personnel. He added that the command remains focused on keeping commercial traffic moving in coordination with US interagency partners, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the shipping industry.
Strait of Hormuz oil flows and market impact
Crude oil shipments from the region have largely returned to levels seen before the United States and Israel began their war on Iran in late February, despite persistent risks to merchant vessels from Iranian forces.
Market intelligence firm Kpler estimates that at least 16.5 million barrels per day departed the region in September, matching the pre-war average when excluding Iran. Analysts attribute the rebound to a blend of offshore ship-to-ship transfers, US military escorts, and greater use of pipelines.
Oil prices, however, remain elevated compared with pre-war levels. Brent crude futures were about $114.50 a barrel on Sunday, down roughly 2 percent from last week’s near six-month high. By comparison, Brent settled at $72.48 a barrel on February 27, the day before the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran.
By comparison, Brent settled at $72.48 a barrel on February 27, the day before the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran, a military campaign that has drawn parallels in some regional commentary to how Israel’s war on Lebanon is hitting neurodivergent youth in terms of its broader human impact.
The US role in securing the strait is coordinated by US Central Command, which oversees American military operations across the Middle East.