U.S. Military Reports Assistance to Over 1,300 Tankers Moving 660 Million Barrels Through Hormuz Since May
U.S. Central Command says its forces have helped more than 1,300 commercial vessels transport roughly 660 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May, despite ongoing security tensions.
The U.S. military has aided the passage of more than 660 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May, according to Central Command. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the command, said the assistance covered about 1,300 commercial vessels and that "multiple routes remain free and open for commercial transit."
Based on prior statements, the figure implies at least 160 million barrels, or over 7 million barrels per day, moved through the strait in the past three weeks. Central Command previously reported 500 million barrels had been assisted through Hormuz as of July 29. Those volumes remain well below pre-conflict levels, when roughly 20 million barrels per day passed through the waterway.
U.S. officials have offered varying estimates of daily flows. An official told Axios that about 10 million barrels per day have exited the strait in recent weeks, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright said a seven-day average had risen to nearly 9 million barrels per day on Aug. 11. Independent maritime-intelligence firm Windward estimated crude exports averaged about 5 million barrels per day in July, up from 4 million in June and 1.6 million in May, and expects August volumes to increase.
Windward senior analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann said the market is "scaling quickly despite Iran's pressure on maritime security" and noted that Gulf-state producers benefit from U.S. military protection. Lloyd's List maritime-intelligence director Bridget Diakun cautioned that tracking exact volumes is difficult because ships often transit at night and satellite imagery is typically captured in the morning, leaving many unknowns.
The security environment in the strait remains contested. Iran announced it would close the waterway until the United States fulfills obligations under an interim peace agreement signed on June 17, while U.S. officials maintain that the passage remains open and under U.S. control. The strait is divided between a southern route along Oman's coast, which the U.S. military helps secure, and a northern route through Iranian territorial waters, which Tehran requires for vessels.
Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer at shipping association BIMCO, described the situation as "contested" and noted that both sides can project power across the narrow waterway, making it impossible for either to fully control the entire passage. The International Maritime Organization reported at least 17 commercial ships were attacked in July and August, resulting in four sailor deaths and multiple injuries. Tanker operators reportedly pay high premiums for these voyages, reflecting the elevated risk involved.