The U.S. military has quietly set up a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz to move millions of barrels of oil daily. This news comes as the ongoing conflict with Iran remains unresolved. According to reports from Axios, U.S. officials confirmed the operation began shortly after President Trump declined to extend a temporary ceasefire with Iran, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is open and under U.S. control.
For several weeks, between 15 to 20 tankers have been active each night, navigating a southern channel along Oman’s coast. Currently, around 10 million barrels of oil are being exported daily, which is about half of the oil volume that was shipped before the war began.
The U.S. operation is not limited to escorting tankers; it also involves assisting empty tankers returning from Gulf ports after picking up oil. This operation is organized by a task force from the U.S. Army, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in collaboration with partners in the Gulf region. Tankers are grouped into scheduled convoys that travel under military guidance through the southern channel.
U.S. officials mentioned that this operation was made possible by a recent two-week mission by U.S. Central Command, which had successfully damaged Iran’s radar and surveillance capabilities. Air support from the U.S. military is also in place to counteract threats from Iranian drones and missiles.
As a result of this operation, the flow of oil is slowly improving, alleviating some of the economic strain caused by the conflict, although the amount remains less than before the war. President Trump noted that there is currently a significant amount of oil flowing from the Strait of Hormuz, while reaffirming that the U.S. is not engaging in negotiations with Iran at this time.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical hotspot since the onset of the Iran war on February 28. Disruptions to shipping traffic have been frequent, with conflicting reports from the U.S. and Iran regarding the waterway’s accessibility. The strait is crucial as it handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply and significant quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
While the U.S. claims the strait remains open, Iranian authorities insist otherwise. Reports indicated a significant drop in vessel traffic, with only six ships passing through one day recently, indicating ongoing tensions and uncertainty in this vital shipping lane.
