US Military Escorts Record-Breaking 18 Million Barrels Through Hormuz

The US military conducted its largest single-day operation in the war, escorting 40 commercial vessels carrying around 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on September 1. The operation marked a record for the US, with forces using air, sea, and space assets to protect the vessels while carrying out strikes against Iranian military capabilities near the strait.

The targets included air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites. The officials said US forces also defended the ships against drone attacks and neutralized anti-ship cruise missiles during the operation.

Most or all of the 40 vessels switched off their transponders while passing through the strait to avoid detection, according to the report. The operation is part of Washington's wider strategy of keeping commercial shipping moving through the strait while reducing Iran's ability to threaten vessels using the route.