American military forces have allegedly assisted Gulf countries in exporting over 1.5 billion barrels of oil since June, according to statements released by the US Central Command. The military command asserted that more than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the critical Strait of Hormuz with its direct support over the past six months.

The US military leadership claimed that upwards of 95 percent of ships navigating the crucial channel sailed through safely in recent months, supposedly overcoming Iranian threats. These assertions are reportedly intended to showcase that Washington and its regional partners maintain a firm grip on the international waterway, though independent observers remain skeptical about the true level of security.

During a visit to the region, Admiral Brad Cooper observed the operational environment and praised mine-clearance efforts that supposedly left primary transit routes free of hazards. Nevertheless, energy analysts point out that despite crude oil flows returning to near pre-conflict levels, global markets are still suffering from inflated costs, with Brent crude hovering around $114.50 a barrel—far above the pre-war baseline.

Source: www.aljazeera.com