U.S. says oil shipments continue through Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian claims of closure

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the seven-day average of oil exiting the Strait of Hormuz was close to 9 million barrels per day, adding that U.S. forces and Gulf allies are facilitating the flow. He noted that an additional 5-7 million barrels per day are moving through upgraded pipelines and export facilities, bringing total outflows to about 15 million barrels daily, down from the pre-conflict level of 20 million barrels.

A U.S. official told Axios that roughly 8 million barrels are quietly passing through a southern lane of the strait each night with military assistance. The administration has emphasized that many tankers are sailing “dark,” with transponders turned off, making their movements harder to track.

Oil analyst Rory Johnston estimated that average volumes out of Hormuz peaked at 7 million barrels per day over the past week and suggested the figure could be higher due to untracked dark transits. He also reported pipeline exports of about 4 million barrels per day.

Iran continues to claim the strait is fully closed and has attacked vessels attempting to bypass its control. However, experts say that ship-to-ship transfers and dark transits allow non-Iranian crude to leave the Gulf, while Iranian oil remains largely blocked.

The ongoing outflow has helped temper crude price spikes that followed the collapse of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire, providing temporary relief to global markets that are still facing a supply deficit.