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American forces are coordinating tanker movements through the waterway, providing air cover and helping restore the flow of Gulf crude to global markets
US military has established a controlled shipping corridor through the southern channel of the Strait of Hormuz, along the coast of Oman. (AI-Generated Image)
The Strait of Hormuz has become the most critical battlefield in the Iran war and now, the US military is effectively running a controlled oil corridor through it.
In an operation that has largely remained out of public view, American forces are coordinating tanker movements through the waterway, providing air cover and helping restore the flow of Gulf crude to global markets as the Iran war ragesaccording to Axios.
The operation has allowed around 10 million barrels of oil a day to move through Hormuz, roughly half the pre-war volume, easing some of the supply shock caused by the conflict. But with Iranian drones and cruise missiles still threatening shipping, the US effort amounts to a high-stakes attempt to keep one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints open while the war continues.
What Has US Done In Hormuz?
According to Axios, the US military has established a controlled shipping corridor through the southern channel of the Strait of Hormuzalong the coast of Oman.
ALSO READ | ‘Hammer ASAP’ To ‘Strangle Over Time’: Trump’s Iran War Strategy Takes A New Turn Amid Hormuz Deadlock
The operation is not limited to escorting tankers carrying oil out of the Gulf. The US is also helping empty tankers enter the Gulf from the Arabian Sea, load oil from countries in the region and then make the return journey through the strait.
Over the past two weeks, around 15-20 tankers have been moving through the strait each night, according to US officials cited by Axios. The operation is being coordinated by a task force operating from the US Army headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Why Is Hormuz So Important?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it the principal maritime route for oil exports from major Gulf producers.
For countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar, the waterway is crucial for reaching international markets.
That is why disruption in Hormuz has consequences far beyond the Gulf. Any sustained reduction in the amount of oil passing through the strait can tighten global supplies, push up crude prices and increase fuel costs worldwide.
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The current US operation is therefore not simply about protecting individual ships. It is about restoring at least part of the oil flow that was disrupted by the war.
How Much Oil Is Moving Now?
US officials told Axios that roughly 10 million barrels of oil a day are now moving through the strait, about half the pre-war volume. On some nights, the volume has been substantially higher.
According to Axios, as many as 15 million-20 million barrels of oil have moved out of the Gulf on some nights in recent weeks. One night this week, more than 20 ships were scheduled to transit the southern lane, potentially carrying about 15 million barrels of oil.
Even though these volumes remain below pre-war levels, their return to the international market is significant because the conflict had sharply reduced the flow of Gulf oil.
How Is US Making The Corridor Possible?
The operation follows a two-week US Central Command campaign that, according to US officials cited by Axios, degraded Iran’s radar and maritime surveillance capabilities. That has made it easier for the US military to coordinate shipping movements through the southern channel.
ALSO READ | Is Iran Losing Hormuz Control? Over 80% Of Ships Taking Omani Route To Bypass Waterway, Data Shows
Iran still retains surveillance capabilities and has used drones, cruise missiles and fast boats in the area. But US officials say its ability to monitor maritime traffic has been significantly reduced.
The US Air Force is also providing fighter-jet protection against Iranian drones and cruise missiles, according to Axios. This means the corridor is effectively being maintained under a combination of military surveillance, scheduled shipping movements and air protection.
Does This Mean US Controls The Strait?
Not formally.
The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, and the US has not legally taken control of it. But the operation gives Washington considerable de facto control over the movement of commercial shipping through the southern channel.
One US official directly involved in the operation told Axios: “We have been controlling the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz for two months now. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps can be a nuisance, but they don’t control the strait. We do.”
This means Washington is not merely protecting individual tankers but organising and regulating the flow of commercial traffic through a contested maritime chokepoint.
What Does Iran’s Response Look Like?
Iran has not completely stopped the shipping movement. Instead, according to US officials cited by Axios, Iranian forces have been using drones and cruise missiles against areas where ships are believed to be travelling.
Some vessels have reportedly been hit, while US forces have intercepted others. Earlier this week, US forces reportedly shot down eight Iranian drones and two cruise missiles, according to the Axios report.
ALSO READ | US-Iran Deal Ends Today: What Comes Next For Trump, Mojtaba As Hormuz Remains Choking Point?
This creates a delicate situation: commercial vessels are moving through the corridor, but the threat of Iranian attacks remains.
Will It Affect Global Oil Prices?
The Strait of Hormuz is effectively a pressure point for the global oil market.
When large volumes of crude cannot leave the Gulf, buyers have to compete for a smaller supply pool elsewhere. That can push prices higher and increase concerns over inflation, transport costs and energy security.
The US operation is therefore significant even though it has not restored the pre-war flow.
By getting millions of barrels back into the international market, Washington is reducing some of the supply shock caused by the conflict.
What Has Trump Said About The Oil Flow?
President Donald Trump has publicly highlighted the continued movement of oil through Hormuz.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said: “There is a tremendous amount of oil coming out of the Strait of Hormuz.” His comments come as the US continues its military campaign against Iran while efforts to reach a broader resolution remain stalled.
Trump has also recently floated the idea of the US taking control of the Strait of Hormuz as a US “territory”, underlining just how central the waterway has become to Washington’s strategy in the conflict.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The US operation in the Strait of Hormuz has helped restore some oil flow, but shipments remain below pre-war levels. The long-term stabilisation of global oil prices may depend more on China’s oil buying strategy than on the US-Iran conflict.
Ask News18About the Author
Apoorva Misra is an Associate Editor at News18.com with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She loves uncovering fresh angles and telling stories through long-form features and explainers…Read More
United States of America (USA)
August 20, 2026, 09:20 IST
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