A reported US-led shipping corridor is helping move millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing regional tensions.
WEB DESK: The US military has reportedly established a covert shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the movement of millions of barrels of oil each day despite continuing tensions with Iran.
According to US news website Axios, citing two US officials, the operation has been quietly running for several weeks and has helped restore a significant portion of oil flows through the strategically important waterway.
15 to 20 tankers reportedly move through corridor each night
According to the report, between 15 and 20 oil tankers have been using a southern channel along Oman’s coast each night to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.
US officials cited in the report said approximately 10 million barrels of oil per day are currently being transported safely through the waterway.
That volume is reportedly around half the level seen before the conflict.
The operation involves more than escorting loaded tankers out of the strait. According to the report, US forces are also assisting empty tankers travelling from the Arabian Sea into the Gulf, where they can load oil before returning through the waterway.
US forces coordinating tanker movements
A US official familiar with the operation was quoted as saying that American forces had been controlling the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz for approximately two months.
The reported operation is being coordinated by a task force operating from the US Army headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while maintaining contact with Gulf partners.
The task force reportedly prepares daily lists of vessels and organises their movement through the strait in scheduled nighttime convoys.
US Air Force fighter aircraft are said to provide air protection against potential Iranian cruise missile and drone attacks during the transit.
Iranian surveillance capabilities reportedly weakened
According to Axios, the operation became possible following a two-week US Central Command military campaign that significantly damaged Iran’s radar and maritime surveillance capabilities.
The report said Iran’s ability to monitor shipping traffic through the southern channel has subsequently been reduced.
US officials reportedly believe Iranian forces have been launching drones and cruise missiles based partly on estimated shipping routes rather than comprehensive surveillance.
Some vessels have reportedly come under attack, although most attacks have allegedly been intercepted by US forces.
Global energy markets remain closely focused on Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, making the security of tanker traffic crucial for global oil markets.
The reported resumption of substantial oil flows could help ease concerns over a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.
However, the continued military presence and reported attacks on shipping vessels mean that the situation remains highly sensitive.
Any significant escalation in the Strait of Hormuz could once again disrupt tanker movements and place renewed pressure on international oil prices.
The reported US operation therefore represents not only a military effort to protect commercial shipping but also an important attempt to maintain global energy supplies during a period of heightened regional tensions.
