U.S. Military Escorts 7 Million Barrels of Oil Daily from Hormuz

The United States Armed Forces are conducting a clandestine operation to escort commercial ships and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz under the cover of darkness. President Donald Trump described the initiative as a secret mission that has already enabled more than 200 ships and 100 million barrels of oil to safely exit the strait, often with lights turned off to avoid detection.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that these military escorts are facilitating the movement of approximately 7 million barrels per day from the Persian Gulf, recovering about half of the volume disrupted since U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began in February. While non-Iranian flows have surged by 50% this month, a U.S. blockade continues to prevent any Iranian crude from leaving the region. Wright stated that full flows will resume if a diplomatic agreement is reached with Tehran, but military efforts will continue regardless of negotiations.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth disputed the 7 million barrel estimate, suggesting actual volumes are likely lower. To further stabilize markets and offset the disruption, the U.S. has drained 162 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, reducing it to its lowest level since 1983. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have diverted oil through pipelines to bypass the chokepoint.