U.S Forces Help Move 1 Billion Barrels of Gulf Oil While Blockade Cuts Iran’s Exports to Zero– slaynews.com

U.S. forces have now helped move more than one billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously enforcing a naval blockade that has reduced Iran’s maritime oil exports to zero, U.S. Central Command has announced.

CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said American forces reached the milestone after coordinating protection for more than 2,000 commercial ship transits through the critical waterway over the past several months.

“CENTCOM forces have supported more than one billion barrels of crude oil leaving the Gulf,” Cooper said in a video statement.

“That’s one billion barrels of crude oil out through the Strait of Hormuz in the last couple of months.”

The operation represents two parallel missions for the U.S. military: keeping one of the world’s most important energy corridors open to American partners while shutting Iran out of maritime trade.

More Than 2,000 Commercial Ships Protected

Cooper said American forces have helped clear the Strait’s primary shipping lanes of mines while providing coordinated protection to commercial vessels.

“We’ve reached this significant milestone while assisting over 2,000 commercial ship transits through the Strait by providing coordinated protection,” Cooper said.

“Clearly, momentum is building. Primary transit lanes in the Strait are clear of mines.”