Full Breakdown
U.S. Military Moves 7 Million Barrels Daily Through Hormuz
6/13/2026, 12:48:29 AM
Military-Assisted Oil Flow Resumes
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. military is now escorting about 7 million barrels of crude and refined products daily through the Strait of Hormuz. The volume represents roughly half of the oil stranded since the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran began in February. Wright noted the effort started recently to keep part of the oil supply moving as talks proceed.
Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz, normally carrying 20–21 million barrels per day, became a bottleneck after the United States and Israel attacked Iranian targets in February. Security concerns halted tanker traffic, creating a gap of about 14 million barrels per day. The United States responded by deploying naval assets to escort tankers.
Data & Statistics
- Normal pre-war flow: ~20 million bpd.
- Current escorted flow: ~7 million bpd, about half of stranded volume.
- About 5 million bpd have shifted to pipelines and 1 million bpd of output has risen elsewhere, leaving a gap of 14 million bpd.
- Brent crude was $87–$88 per barrel, down 3.7% despite two-thirds of normal flow offline; traders had assumed only 3–4 million bpd were moving.
Official Statements & Responses
Wright emphasized that the escort operation is a newly disclosed initiative to prevent further supply shortages. He noted that no Iranian crude is exiting the strait and that the United States will keep working to restore full flow if diplomatic talks fail. He added that a peace deal could bring partial sanctions relief and that a summer gasoline tax holiday is being considered to ease prices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have a military effort that we've not talked a lot about, which started more recently to get cargoes out,” — Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary
- “Wright added that no Iranian crude is currently leaving the strait.” — Chris Wright
- “* Wright said some sanctions on Iran could be partially lifted if a deal is made.” — Chris Wright
- “military will work to restore the flow.” — Chris Wright
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Wright’s estimate of 7 million bpd contrasts with traders who had assumed only 3–4 million bpd were moving, a discrepancy reflected in price movements. While the escorted volume is about one-third of historic normal flow, other sources cite a 5 million-barrel shift to pipelines and a 1 million-barrel increase elsewhere, leaving a gap of 14 million bpd. No independent verification of the escorted volume has been provided.
What’s Next
The United States and Iran are expected to continue negotiations aimed at a broader peace settlement. If an agreement is reached, partial sanctions relief and a possible gasoline tax holiday could be implemented. In the interim, the U.S. military has signaled its intent to maintain and potentially expand escort operations until full, unrestricted flow through the Strait of Hormuz is restored.
