U.S. officials say naval operations have increased oil flow through Strait of Hormuz
U.S. officials claim that a series of naval missions have enabled more than 125 million barrels of oil to leave the Persian Gulf, while Iran continues to operate its own toll-collecting channel in the strait.
U.S. officials have highlighted a series of naval operations that they say have allowed a significant volume of oil to be moved out of the Persian Gulf despite ongoing tensions with Iran. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Congress that ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is rising "very meaningfully," and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the U.S. naval presence as "impenetrable," noting that 125 million barrels have already been exported, which he said demonstrates U.S. control of the waterway.
The administration has disclosed that some vessels are being routed along the Omani coast with U.S. assistance, and that U.S. forces are providing "naval overwatch" to protect them from Iranian attacks. Central Command posted that the strait remains open for transit and that forces are in place to defend against threats.
Iran, meanwhile, has established its own channel along its coastline, demanding tolls from ships and attacking vessels that attempt to bypass it. Both sides continue to exchange fire, with U.S. aircraft targeting Iranian missile sites and fast-attack boats, while Iran's Revolutionary Guard has launched drones at commercial ships and downed an Apache helicopter.
Tankers protected by U.S. forces are using ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman to move crude, a method previously employed by Iran and Russia to evade sanctions. After offloading oil, the loaded vessels head to global customers, and empty tankers return to the Persian Gulf for additional cargo.
The increased flow has enabled Kuwait, which relies heavily on the strait for exports, to begin selling crude to Asian refiners for the first time since the conflict began. The United Arab Emirates has also resumed oil sales from inside the Persian Gulf.
"Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," a U.S. Central Command statement read.
"I can say it now. Something you didn’t know," President Donald Trump said, claiming a "secret mission" had placed more than 100 million barrels of oil on the market.
The situation remains volatile as both sides maintain competing lanes and continue military engagements in the region.
