Oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level in six months during the past two weeks, according to U.S. Central Command, as American forces and regional partners work to increase commercial traffic through the strategic waterway amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.

Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said Saturday that more than 1 billion barrels of crude had moved through the Strait of Hormuz during the past several months, while U.S. forces have provided coordinated protection for more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits.

“Clearly, momentum is building,” Cooper said in a video statement released by CENTCOM.

U.S. Forces Say Shipping Traffic Is Increasing

Cooper said the primary shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of mines and remain open to commercial traffic.

He said the volume of crude oil, cargo and liquefied natural gas moving through the waterway during the previous two weeks was higher than at any point during the preceding six months.

The U.S. military is working with Persian Gulf countries, insurers and shipping companies to increase the number of vessels using the route.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy corridors. Oil and gas transported through the waterway supply markets throughout Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.

Iran's Oil Exports Remain Severely Restricted

Cooper also said Iran had exported “zero barrels” during the period, attributing the halt to what he described as an American blockade.

That characterization represents the U.S. military's description of its operations. Reuters previously reported that Iran had gone weeks without successfully shipping meaningful crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. naval restrictions disrupted its ability to move oil to international buyers.

The current shipping increase therefore does not mean the waterway has returned to normal prewar conditions.

Reuters reported earlier in September that vessel traffic remained dramatically below its prewar average, with only a handful of commodity vessels using the strait on some days.

Oil Markets Remain Under Pressure

The increase in tanker traffic comes as international oil markets continue to deal with supply disruptions connected to the war.

Brent crude prices recently moved above $100 a barrel as attacks involving Iran, the United States and Iran-backed groups raised concerns about additional interruptions to energy supplies.

The conflict has also affected gasoline and diesel prices, adding pressure to consumers and businesses that depend on transportation and energy.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sept. 13 that global markets would continue to depend on oil and petroleum products moving through the Strait of Hormuz. He estimated that approximately 10 million barrels per day of crude and oil products normally transit the waterway.

Wright described the oil market as tight but said it was not excessively constrained.

Saudi Arabia Faces Additional Attacks

Saudi Arabia has also faced renewed attacks involving Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement.

According to reports, Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi territory and energy infrastructure. One drone attack disrupted the East-West pipeline, a major route designed to allow Saudi oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi authorities also issued air raid alerts for Riyadh on Saturday, marking the first such alerts in the capital since the height of the U.S.-Iran conflict in March and April.

Saudi civil defense officials later said the immediate danger had passed.

The attacks have added another layer of uncertainty to energy transportation in the region because Saudi Arabia depends on multiple routes to move crude to international markets.

Red Sea Route Also Faces Security Threats

The disruption is not limited to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis have also threatened shipping in the Red Sea and have claimed attacks against vessels using the waterway. The Red Sea has become increasingly important for Saudi energy exports because it provides an alternative route when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is restricted.

Attacks in the Red Sea can therefore compound problems created by disruptions in the Persian Gulf.

The broader effect is a more complicated shipping environment in which energy companies must consider security risks, insurance costs, military escorts and alternative transportation routes.

What Happens Next?

The latest increase in Strait of Hormuz shipments represents a significant change from the extremely low traffic levels recorded earlier in September. However, shipping data also shows that activity remains vulnerable to military attacks, mines and other security threats.

Cooper said U.S. forces will continue working with Gulf partners to increase commercial traffic and maintain access to the waterway.

For global energy markets, the central question remains whether the recent increase in shipments can continue while military tensions remain high.

The Strait of Hormuz will therefore remain a major focus of the U.S.-Iran conflict and international energy markets. Any sustained disruption could affect crude prices, petroleum supplies, shipping costs and consumer fuel prices well beyond the Middle East.

USA Herald Coverage by Jackie Allen

USA Herald journalist Jackie Allen has reported extensively on the U.S.-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.

Her previous coverage includes “Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon Defend ‘Project Freedom’ as Tensions Rise in Strait of Hormuz,” which examined U.S. military efforts to protect commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

Allen also reported on “Trump’s War in Iran: Congress Confronts Escalation After U.S. Strikes,” examining the U.S.-Iran military confrontation and congressional debate surrounding the conflict.

More recently, Allen reported on “Iranian Government Holds Rally as War With U.S. and Israel Continues,” covering developments inside Iran as the conflict continues.

Clickable sources and additional information

• Reuters — Hormuz shipping traffic and September vessel data
• CBS News — U.S. escorts 1 billion barrels through the Strait of Hormuz
• Reuters — Hormuz traffic dwindles amid escalating Middle East attacks
• The Straits Times — Hormuz oil shipments hit six-month high
• USA Herald — Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon Defend “Project Freedom” as Tensions Rise in Strait of Hormuz — Jackie Allen
• USA Herald — Trump’s War in Iran: Congress Confronts Escalation After U.S. Strikes — Jackie Allen
• USA Herald — Iranian Government Holds Rally as War With U.S. and Israel Continues — Jackie Allen
• USA Herald — Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens as Trump Rejects Iran’s Peace Proposal — Jackie Allen
• USA Herald — Peace Agreement Between US and Iran Outlines Path Toward Regional Ceasefire and Nuclear Talks — Jackie Allen