US military reports 1.5 billion barrels moved through Strait of Hormuz since June

US Central Command announced on Sunday that Gulf states have exported more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since June. The military stated that over 3,000 commercial vessels passed through the waterway with American support during that period.

CENTCOM reported that more than 95 percent of ships completed their journeys safely despite ongoing threats from Iran. The command said the statistics clearly demonstrate that the United States and its regional partners maintain control of the international waterway.

The figures were released during a regional visit by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper. Cooper observed the operational environment from a US Army helicopter while touring the area. He stated that the command stands shoulder to shoulder with Gulf partners and the shipping industry to ensure continued freedom of navigation.

Cooper confirmed that the main transit routes are free of Iranian mines. He credited the personnel conducting mine clearance operations for their efforts and said the command remains intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US interagency.

Oil flows have largely recovered to levels seen before the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February. Kpler, a market intelligence firm, reported that at least 16.5 million barrels of oil per day left the region in September, excluding Iran. Analysts attribute this rebound to offshore ship-to-ship transfers, US military escorts, and increased use of oil pipelines.

Crude prices have not returned to their pre-conflict levels. Brent crude futures stood at about $114.50 per barrel on Sunday, down roughly 2 percent from a near six-month high last week. On February 27, the day before the strikes began, Brent settled at $72.48 per barrel.