The United States military has announced that it has helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil over the past six months, with its forces enabling the safe passage of over 3,000 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian threats. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the waterway have sailed through safely, and that Admiral Brad Cooper visited the region to observe operations and reaffirm the military’s commitment to freedom of navigation.
According to CENTCOM, the assistance comes amid what it describes as Iranian efforts to control the strategic waterway. Admiral Cooper said during his visit that the primary transit routes were free of Iranian mines due to mine clearance operations. “We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry,” he said in a statement.
The announcement follows the start of the US and Israeli war on Iran in late February 2026, which had disrupted oil flows through the region. Crude oil exports from the Gulf, excluding Iran, have returned to pre-war levels, reaching 16.5 million barrels per day in September, according to market intelligence firm Kpler. Analysts attribute the rebound to a combination of offshore ship-to-ship transfers, US military escorts, and increased use of oil pipelines.
Despite the recovery in volumes, oil prices remain elevated. Brent crude futures were trading at about $114.50 a barrel on Sunday, having eased about two percent from a nearly six-month high the previous week. Before the war began, Brent settled at $72.48 per barrel on February 27.
CENTCOM’s figures cover the period from June 2026 to the present. The command stated that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the channel had sailed through safely in recent months despite Iranian threats, “clearly demonstrating that the United States and regional partners control the international waterway.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, and the ability to keep it open directly affects energy markets worldwide.
- The US military’s ongoing role in protecting shipping influences oil prices and supply stability in a region already at war.
- The continued safe transit despite Iranian threats may shape future naval deployments and Gulf security arrangements.
Background
The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, is one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, with about a fifth of global oil passing through it daily. Since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in late February 2026, the strait has been a focal point of tension. Iranian forces have threatened commercial shipping, but Gulf oil exports, excluding Iran, have largely returned to pre-war levels of roughly 16.5 million barrels per day, according to Kpler. The US military has been conducting escort and mine-clearing operations to maintain freedom of navigation.
What to Watch
- Oil price movements: Brent crude at $114.50 a barrel remains elevated; any supply disruption could push prices higher.
- Iranian response: Whether Iran escalates threats or attempts to disrupt shipping more directly.
- Pipeline capacity: Increased reliance on pipelines could reduce the strategic importance of the strait, affecting long-term security dynamics.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
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- SupportedCooper said: “We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry,”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry,” he said.”
- SupportedCENTCOM said the figures “clearly demonstrat[e] that the United States and regional partners control the international waterway.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “It added that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the channel had sailed through safely in recent months despite Iranian threats, “clearly demonstrating that the United States and regional partners control the international waterway”.”
- SupportedCENTCOM says US forces helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since June.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “US military forces have helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since June, despite Iran’s efforts to control the critical waterway, according to US Central Command (COMMAND).”
- Partly supportedMore than 3,000 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz with US support and were safely escorted despite Iranian threats.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The US military command said on Sunday that more than 3,000 commercial vessels had transited the Strait of Hormuz with its support over the past six months. It added that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the channel had sailed through safely in recent months despite Iranian threats”
- SupportedMore than 95 percent of ships navigating the waterway sailed through safely in recent months despite Iranian threats.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “It added that more than 95 percent of ships navigating the channel had sailed through safely in recent months despite Iranian threats”
- Partly supportedThe 1.5 billion barrels were exported over the past six months.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “US military forces have helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since June”
- SupportedAdmiral Brad Cooper visited the region to observe operations and reaffirm the military’s commitment to freedom of navigation.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “CENTCOM announced the figures as Commander Admiral Brad Cooper made a visit to the region, during which he observed the “current operational environment” in the strait while flying in a US Army helicopter. “This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.””
- SupportedCooper said the primary vessel transit routes were free of Iranian mines because of mine-clearance operations.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Cooper said the primary transit routes for vessels in the strait were free of Iranian mines due to the “incredible efforts” of personnel who conduct mine clearance operations.”
- Partly supportedThe US and Israeli war on Iran began in late February 2026 and disrupted oil flows through the region.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Crude oil flows have largely returned to levels seen before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February”
- Partly supportedGulf crude oil exports excluding Iran reached 16.5 million barrels per day in September, returning to pre-war levels, according to Kpler.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “At least 16.5 million barrels of oil per day left the region in September, equal to the pre-war average, excluding Iran, according to market intelligence firm Kpler.”
- SupportedAnalysts attribute the rebound to offshore ship-to-ship transfers, US military escorts and increased use of oil pipelines.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Analysts have attributed the rebound to a combination of offshore ship-to-ship transfers, US military escorts, and increased use of oil pipelines.”
- SupportedBrent crude was about $114.50 a barrel on Sunday, after easing about two percent from the previous week’s nearly six-month high.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Brent crude futures stood at about $114.50 a barrel on Sunday, after easing about 2 percent from last week’s nearly six-month high.”