The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that more than one billion barrels of crude oil have been transported through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, even amidst US military blockades.
In a statement released on the social media platform X on Saturday, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, “CENTCOM forces have facilitated the transport of over one billion barrels of crude oil from the Gulf.”
He noted that US forces also provided coordinated security support for the passage of more than 2,000 commercial vessels through this strategically vital waterway.
Cooper stated that the primary shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of mines, allowing thousands of vessels to traverse the waterway since then.
However, Cooper claimed that not “a single barrel” of oil was exported from Iran during this period, attributing this to what the US describes as an “ironclad blockade.”
He further added that the volume of crude oil, various goods, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transported through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two weeks exceeded that of any similar period in the preceding six months.
Cooper also mentioned that the US is collaborating with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, insurance firms, and shipping companies to further increase maritime traffic through this waterway, which is recognized as one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
