Axios reports US runs nightly 10-million-barrel tanker corridor through Strait of Hormuz
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Axios reports that two US officials said American forces have run a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks, moving about 10 million barrels of oil per day. The officials said the nightly convoys of 15–20 tankers use a southern route along Oman's coast, with US forces providing protection against Iranian drones and cruise missiles. President Donald Trump told Axios the US is not negotiating with Iran, while calling the amount of oil moving through the strait 'huge'.
Key Facts
- One US official told Axios the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz has been under US control for two months.
- US forces this week shot down eight Iranian drones and two cruise missiles, one official told Axios.
- A two-week US Central Command campaign earlier disabled Iranian radar and naval surveillance systems, making the fuel transport possible, officials said.
- The corridor also directs empty tankers from the Arabian Sea through the strait to load oil in Gulf ports.
- A task force based in North Carolina oversees the operation and coordinates with regional partners in the Persian Gulf.
Reported Tanker Corridor
American officials told Axios the corridor through the Strait of Hormuz has moved about 10 million barrels of oil per day for several weeks. Each night 15–20 tankers enter and exit the strait along a southern route off the coast of Oman. The daily volume is roughly half the pre-war flow before the US-Iran war, the officials said. US forces compile daily lists of laden and empty tankers and set time windows for convoy movements. A task force based in North Carolina oversees the operation and coordinates with partners in the Persian Gulf.
Military Protection and Iranian Response
This week, US forces shot down eight Iranian drones and two cruise missiles while defending the convoys, an official told Axios. US Air Force aircraft provide air cover for the nightly movements, including against Iranian drones and cruise missiles. A two-week US Central Command campaign had earlier disabled Iranian radar and naval surveillance systems, making the fuel transport possible, officials said. President Donald Trump posted a Truth Social map showing the Strait of Hormuz labeled 'New US territory.' Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran will 'correct the US president's misconceptions.'
3 sources
Axios reports US runs nightly 10-million-barrel tanker corridor through Strait of Hormuz
