Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, said the U.S. military has facilitated the transit of over 1 billion barrels of crude oil out of the Gulf, while also providing coordinated protection for more than 2,000 commercial vessels that have used the strategic waterway.
According to Cooper, the primary lanes of the strait have been cleared of mines, allowing thousands of ships to pass safely through the narrow passage that links the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
In the same remarks, Cooper claimed that Iran has exported “zero barrels” of oil during the period, attributing the halt to the U.S. “ironclad blockade” that it says is preventing Iranian shipments.
He added that the volume of crude oil, other cargoes and liquefied natural gas moving through the strait over the past two weeks was higher than at any point in the preceding six months.
The U.S. said it is now working with Gulf Cooperation Council member states, insurers and shipping companies to further boost traffic through the strait, which remains one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.