President Donald Trump posted an image on Truth Social on Thursday stating that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to previous levels. Trump noted that 20 million barrels crossed the strait daily before the war, compared with 18 million currently.
CNN reported that 18 million barrels of oil transited the vital waterway on Tuesday. The network quoted unnamed U.S. officials saying the American military escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying the oil through the strait that day.
The officials told CNN that the U.S. military used air and naval assets and repelled waves of drones during the escort operation. They said American forces also neutralized anti-ship cruise missiles during Tuesday's operation.
A U.S. official said the American military blockade has prevented Iran from exporting oil since July. Since the war began, Tehran has obstructed movement through the strait, and Washington has responded with a blockade of Iranian ports.
The Trump administration recently imposed severe sanctions on Iran and warned its partners against similar actions. This came as military tensions accelerated in recent days, with American airstrikes on various Iranian targets killing at least 19 people, followed by Iranian strikes on regional countries.
Trump warned that the United States was prepared to launch another attack "any time we want," while Tehran threatened a "wider and more destructive" response if American attacks continued.
