Achievement for the USA: Record amount of oil barrels transported through the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military has recorded an important achievement in opening the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials claim that Iran's grip on the strait is eroding. It is estimated that the 'mowing the grass' policy against Iranian targets in the region will continue. Iran continues to threaten shipping and attack vessels, and this week two crew members were killed. The U.S. identifies greater support for the operation from regional allies.

The U.S. military recorded a significant achievement this week, coming much closer to the pre-war oil export capacity through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a CNN report, the U.S. military escorted 40 commercial vessels on Tuesday that transported about 18 million barrels of oil, only slightly less than the 20 million barrels per day average before the war.

The operation was carried out in parallel with a round of American strikes on dozens of targets in the Strait of Hormuz area. The U.S. military used aerial, naval, and space-based assets to damage Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels while repelling waves of drone attacks.

For the first time since the operation began, the U.S. military intercepted cruise missiles launched at vessels exporting oil. CNN writes that the operation reflects a shift in American strategy, focusing on hitting targets in the strait area, escorting commercial vessels, and maintaining a naval blockade on Iranian ports to increase economic pressure on the country's leadership.

Almost 60 targets hit

Despite the success of the daily operation, American officials do not believe there is a quick solution to the war. Energy companies remain afraid to send ships through the strait, even under military escort, and energy prices remain high.

U.S. Central Command has been instructed to focus efforts on the Strait of Hormuz and preventing oil exports. Other priorities, including actions against components of the Iranian nuclear program mentioned by Donald Trump, have been pushed aside for now. Nevertheless, the president emphasizes that the U.S. is monitoring all activities at Iran's nuclear facilities.

On Tuesday, the U.S. military attacked almost 60 military targets in the strait area, including air defense sites, radar systems, naval assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communication sites.

It is expected that the U.S. military will continue strikes in the region because Iran has proven it can restore its military capabilities. U.S. officials describe this activity as 'mowing the grass' or a game of 'whack-a-mole'—a continuous effort to damage the capabilities that threaten ships.

USA: Iran has lost part of its ability to control the strait

The strikes and naval escort are intended to reduce Iran's ability to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. Simultaneously, the American blockade has prevented Iran from exporting oil since July, adding to the damage to the Iranian economy, which is in a very difficult state. Yesterday, the Iranian rial fell again to 2.2 million rials to one U.S. dollar.

Donald Trump stated yesterday that the recent strikes were also intended to damage Iran's ability to track ships in the strait. According to him, Iranian radar systems were destroyed, and the U.S. hit many more targets.

The president did not specify what other targets were attacked but reiterated the claim that the U.S. controls the strait and has proven it can attack Iranian targets along the coast while protecting ships from attacks.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this week that more than 17 million barrels of oil passed through the strait on Monday, a record during the war. 'This is not Iranian control of the strait,' he said.

However, some data present a different reality. The oil export tracking site Tankertracker reported that in the last week, 3.8 million barrels of oil per day were exported on average, compared to 9.8 million barrels during the implementation period of the memorandum of understanding.

Shipping companies remain doubtful

Despite the administration's claims of control, industry sources and analysts remain skeptical. They argue that the U.S. has not yet proven it can reliably ensure safe and stable passage for ships. Shipping companies make decisions on a case-by-case basis. The cost of renting an oil tanker to pass through the strait has skyrocketed, reaching over $500,000 per day in some estimates.

Ship insurance remains expensive, and reports of Iranian attacks continue to deter companies. The concern is especially great regarding tankers carrying liquefied natural gas, as hitting such a ship with a drone, mine, or missile could lead to devastating results.

USA plans to expand the route

American officials say time and persistence will be required to complete the list of Iranian military targets in the strait area, some of which were partially restored during the last ceasefire.

At the same time, the U.S. is trying to convince the shipping industry that passage is safe enough. To this end, it plans to continue escort operations through a route cleared of mines. The U.S. military hopes that by next month it will be able to expand the clear route so ships can maneuver more freely, gradually increasing the amount of oil passing through the strait.

Earlier in the war, the U.S. military tried to launch a similar escort operation, 'Project Freedom,' but it was quickly stopped after the move surprised key U.S. allies in the Gulf, led by Saudi Arabia. Now, months later, the war has entered a new phase, and Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have led to greater support from regional partners for escort operations in the strait.