Middle East oil squeeze: How much crude is actually flowing through Hormuz
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the volume of oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Iran tensions. While shipping data suggests a significant decline, US officials maintain that oil transit remains robust and consistent.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint; discrepancies in data create market uncertainty and potential volatility in global oil prices.
The US-Iran conflict has kept the Strait of Hormuz in a chokehold for nearly six months and the oil market is left grappling with one big question: how much crude is actually getting through?While market estimates suggest flows have fallen sharply from pre-war levels, US officials say the picture may be far less bleak.The strait is effectively closed to oil tankers, and any drop in shipments can push prices higher. Iran has fired at dozens of tankers trying to pass through, while ship trackers using transponder data and satellite images have recorded a sharp fall in tanker traffic.Global oil inventories have also continued to decline.
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