US military increases oil flow through Strait of Hormuz

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on August 22 that the American military has helped push more oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Daily flow through the strait is now around 7 to 8 million barrels. When pipeline routes are included, about 20 million barrels per day are leaving the Gulf region in total.

This is a big improvement. In the second quarter, only 4.9 million barrels per day moved through the strait because of conflict with Iran and shipping restrictions. Before the conflict began in late February, the figure was 21.6 million barrels per day. No Iranian oil is currently passing through the strait.

Wright said the military will keep working to restore full flow, whether or not the US reaches a deal with Iran.