“CENTCOM forces have supported more than 1 billion barrels
of crude oil leaving the Gulf,” Adm. Brad Cooper said in remarks released by
the command.
US
forces have also assisted more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits through
the strategic waterway by providing coordinated protection. The strait’s
primary transit lanes had been cleared of mines, allowing thousands of ships to
pass through the waterway.
At the same time, Cooper said Iran had exported “zero
barrels” of oil, attributing the halt to what he described as the US “ironclad
blockade.”
The
volume of crude oil, cargo and liquefied natural gas moving through the strait
over the past two weeks was higher than at any point during the previous six
months.
US has been working with Gulf Cooperation Council countries,
insurers and shipping companies to further increasing traffic through the
Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy transit routes.
