SEATTLE (Oil Monster): More than 1 billion barrels of crude oil have moved through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces have helped protect more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits while working with Gulf countries, insurers and shipping companies to sustain maritime traffic. Additionally, key transit lanes had been cleared of mines, he added.
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The claim comes as shipping activity remains well below normal levels. Reuters reported that only 17 commodity vessels crossed the strait over the weekend, compared with 37 during the previous week. This is substantially down when matched with the pre-conflict average of about 125 vessels a day.
While CENTCOM says oil and gas movements have recently reached a six-month high, reduced vessel traffic and continuing security threats indicate that shipping conditions continue to remain fragile, without any improvement.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the situation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The leaders stressed the need for uninterrupted energy supplies and safe passage for commercial vessels. The ministers agreed to maintain cooperation and meet during the UN General Assembly in New York.
