The U.S. military has established a shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz to transport approximately 10 million barrels of oil daily, according to two U.S. officials. The operation, which has been ongoing for several weeks, involves 15 to 20 tankers navigating a southern channel along the coast of Oman. This volume represents about half of the oil transported before the recent conflict.
The U.S.-led initiative aims to alleviate disruptions to oil supplies caused by the ongoing war, which had previously led to increased crude prices. The military is not only escorting tankers but also facilitating the entry of tankers from the Arabian Sea to collect oil from the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait before exiting the Gulf.
The operation is coordinated by the Army's 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and involves daily scheduling of tankers moving in and out of the strait. U.S. Air Force fighter jets are deployed to monitor for potential threats from Iranian forces, which have reportedly reduced visibility in the area due to a recent U.S. military campaign that targeted Iran's radar and maritime surveillance capabilities.
U.S. officials have noted that in the past two weeks, the number of tankers transiting the strait has remained consistent, with some nights seeing exports rise to 15 to 20 million barrels. President Trump commented on the operation, stating that a significant amount of oil is being transported out of the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized that the U.S. is not currently negotiating with Iran.