Key facts
- President Trump claimed over 200 commercial vessels have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz with U.S. assistance.
- The number of transiting vessels is significantly lower than before the conflict began.
- Reports indicate a U.S. "secret mission" is helping tankers bypass Iran's blockade through "shadow transits."
- These "shadow transits" involve vessels traveling at night with their transmitters off to avoid detection.
- The U.S. military reportedly provides overwatch and escort operations for these journeys.
- Despite efforts, the flow of oil remains below pre-crisis levels, impacting global energy markets and inflation.
President Trump has asserted that over 200 commercial vessels have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz with U.S. assistance, a claim that contrasts with significantly lower transit numbers compared to pre-war levels. The U.S. is reportedly engaged in a "secret mission" to help tankers bypass Iran's blockade, a situation that has roiled global energy markets.
This mission allegedly involves "shadow transits" where vessels travel at night with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitters switched off to avoid detection. U.S. military forces are said to be providing overwatch and escort operations, utilizing autonomous vehicles, aircraft, and drones. Tankers reportedly conduct ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman before returning to load more oil and gas.
While President Trump claimed over 100 million barrels of oil have been transported, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed some U.S. military assistance for oil exports, the exact scale and secrecy of the operation are debated. Maritime intelligence providers like Lloyd's List have documented these "dark transits," noting that tracking them precisely is challenging. Before the conflict, an average of 138 ships per day transited the strait, whereas now, only about 25% of the tankers present in the Gulf have managed to leave the region since the conflict began. Analysts suggest that even if Trump's barrel figure is accurate, it represents only a fraction of normal transit volumes.