Oil exports from the Middle East have risen sharply this month, taking them closer to pre-war levels after Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz in March. According to Kpler, an average of 10 million barrels of oil has gone through the waterway daily in September, with six million barrels leaving Persian Gulf states through pipelines and ports bypassing the strait. Before the conflict, around 19 million barrels of crude left the region daily through the waterway and other routes.

A U.S. military operation protecting vessels appears to have encouraged more shipments by major exporters like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. While the increase shows Iran may be losing control of the strait, prices remain elevated and the global supply is still below demand. Experts warn that Iran could escalate attacks, and maintaining U.S. military protection requires significant resources.