US forces in Hormuz help escort oil tankers at night, Burgum says in International Shipping News 15/06/2026 US forces are helping transport millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz during nighttime operations, with more than 20 ships moving through the waterway on some nights, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said. Following the removal of sea mines, the operation has enabled “some nights, more than 20 ships coming out,” Burgum said Friday on CNBC. With some ultra-large carriers holding 2 million barrels of crude, “substantial amounts of oil that have come out of the strait,” Burgum added. The operation aims to free oil tankers and commercial ships that have been trapped since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the effort has helped suppress crude costs, claiming in a social media post that more than 200 commercial ships and 100 million barrels of oil had safely exited Hormuz under the “secret mission.” Trump told reporters Wednesday the US had taken 22 ships out of the strait “late at night, with no lights” to avoid detection. The waterway previously provided passage for about a fifth of the world’s crude flows. Its closure has blocked millions of barrels from reaching the market daily, causing a global spike in oil and fuel prices. West Texas Intermediate futures were trading at roughly $85.5 per barrel on Friday. Non-Iranian oil flows through the strait have surged by about 50% so far this month, while a US-maintains its blockade of Iranian shipments. “I think the markets figured that out before some of the tabloid press did, because you’re starting to see a softening of oil prices,” Burgum said. At least 1.8 million barrels exited the Persian Gulf during each of the first 10 days of June, according to Vortexa Ltd. Source: Investing.com 2026-06-15 hellenicshippingnews... tweet Share