Middle East Crude Exports Stage Comeback Despite Ongoing Iran Threats
The Middle East has seen a remarkable recovery in its crude oil exports, reaching their highest level since the Iran war began. According to data from industry observers, September's exports hit 98% of pre-war levels, as reported by investment bank JP Morgan.
The revival is attributed to various factors, including the use of oil shuttles and ship-to-ship transfers to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a major concern due to Iranian attacks. Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline has also played a crucial role in this recovery, despite being damaged in an attack by Iran-aligned Houthi militants.
Commodities analytics firm Kpler reported that Saudi oil exports were at average levels for 2025, while maritime intelligence company Windward stated that Saudi terminals loaded four times more oil than in August. However, these numbers are still nearly 40% lower than the pre-war level.