The U.S. Central Command has revealed that American forces have assisted in the transit of more than 660 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May. Based on previously released military data, calculations indicate that at least 160 million barrels have passed through the strait over the past three weeks, averaging over 7 million barrels per day.

This volume remains significantly below pre-conflict levels, when approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined products transited the Strait of Hormuz daily. In a statement released Thursday, U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson, confirmed that American forces have facilitated the passage of roughly 1,300 commercial vessels through the strait during the same period. "Multiple commercial shipping lanes remain freely open," Hawkins stated.

Earlier announcements from U.S. Central Command on social media platform X indicated that American forces had assisted 500 million barrels of oil through the strait since May. Despite ongoing threats and harassment from Iran, a considerable volume of petroleum continues to move through the waterway, yet current flows still fall far short of pre-war figures.

No definitive consensus exists regarding the precise daily volume of oil exports through the strait. U.S. government estimates generally exceed data compiled by independent ship-tracking organizations. American officials stated Wednesday that daily oil flows through the strait have averaged approximately 10 million barrels in recent weeks. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on August 11 that the seven-day average flow had approached 9 million barrels per day.

Private monitoring organizations offer contrasting figures. Maritime intelligence firm Windward estimates that crude oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz averaged approximately 5 million barrels daily in July, 4 million barrels per day in June, and only 1.6 million barrels per day in May. Windward senior maritime intelligence analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann indicated that August export volumes are expected to build on July's figures. "My assessment is that oil export volumes are rapidly expanding, despite Iran creating enormous pressure on maritime security," Bockmann said. "It's no secret that Gulf states receive U.S. military protection. These Gulf nations will do everything in their power to expand oil exports," the analyst added.

Bridget Diakun, maritime intelligence research director at Lloyd's List, noted that wartime vessel tracking presents significant challenges, making precise data on Hormuz oil flows difficult to obtain. During a Thursday briefing, Diakun explained that many vessels transit at night while satellite imagery is predominantly captured during daylight hours. "There are substantial information blind spots," she said.

The U.S. Energy Secretary stated last week: "Numerous private organizations underestimate the number of vessels departing the Strait of Hormuz because some ships employ stealth navigation methods." Wright posted on X: "The U.S. Department of Energy, working alongside the U.S. military, holds the most reliable statistics on Gulf oil and refined product exports."

The security situation at the Strait of Hormuz remains contested among multiple parties. Iran declared Tuesday that it would block the strait until the United States fulfills obligations under the interim peace agreement signed June 17. President Trump maintains that the strait remains open and under American control. For several months, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively divided into two distinct shipping lanes. U.S. forces safeguard the southern route along the Omani coast while simultaneously enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran requires vessels to use the northern route within its territorial waters or face attack risks.

Jakob Larsen, chief safety officer at global shipping industry association BIMCO, stated: "The Strait of Hormuz is in a security standoff." At its narrowest point, the strait spans just 21 miles. Larsen noted that the United States holds stronger control near the Omani side, while Iran maintains advantages along its coastline. "However, both parties possess the capability to project military force on either side of the strait. Neither side can fully defend all interests within its own territorial waters," he added.

Data from the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, indicates that at least 17 commercial vessels have been attacked in the strait and surrounding waters during July and August, with attacks killing at least four crew members and injuring more than a dozen others. Bockmann noted that tankers completing the voyage can earn up to $500,000 per day, with crew wages doubling or even tripling for those running this route. "Moving oil out requires a high-intensity, high-risk, yet high-reward operation," Bockmann concluded.