CENTCOM: US Forces Facilitated Passage of 1 Billion Barrels of Crude Oil Through Strait of Hormuz

Washington, September 19, 2026:  Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Admiral Brad Cooper said US forces facilitated the safe passage of 1 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months, while also helping more than 2,000 commercial vessels transit the waterway.

Main Transit Lanes Demined, Cooper Says

In an update posted by CENTCOM on its X account Saturday, Cooper said the main transit lanes in the Strait of Hormuz have been demined, and that thousands of vessels continue to use the waterway.

Traffic Volume at Highest Point in Six Months

He noted that the United States is working with its partners to increase the volume of maritime traffic through the strait, adding that the volume of oil and cargo transported over the past two weeks is the highest recorded compared with the previous six months.

Iran Blockade Remains in Place

Regarding Iran, Cooper said the United States continues to enforce a strict blockade on the country's oil exports, adding that Iran has been unable to export a single barrel of oil.

Source: QNA