The claim follows a report by French President Emmanuel Macron on Oct 2 that combined exports via Hormuz and the Yanbu route in the Red Sea had returned to slightly more than 75% of pre-war volumes. While crude flow in the strait has rebounded, overall regional exports continue to run below pre-war levels, and the shipment of refined fuels such as diesel remains heavily disrupted.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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US Defense Secretary Says Hormuz Oil Flows Top Pre-War Levels
Commodities17 days ago
US airspace control in the Middle East now serves as a critical component of energy infrastructure, according to Defense Secretary Hegseth, who stated on Oct 3 that the amount of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz has climbed above levels recorded before the conflict. Hegseth attributed the recovery of shipping volumes to US pilots securing the regional skies, enabling tankers to move through the strait without the prior disruptions.
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