Persian Gulf oil exports reach pre-war levels as Iranian attacks on Hormuz shipping rise

Oil exports from the Persian Gulf reached or passed pre-war levels in the week ending 18 October, according to the tracking firm Kpler, even as Iranian attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz increased. Kpler's figure was above 24 million barrels per day, compared with a pre-war level of about 23.3 million before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. The totals include pipelines and alternative routes such as the Red Sea. About 14 million barrels a day moved through the Strait and Gulf of Oman, roughly 82% of pre-war flow. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre counted at least 12 attacks last week, and a UAE-owned container ship sank.

Left-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing; alternative and right-leaning outlets had. Middle East Eye stresses the challenge to Iran and the sinking, while MarketWatch notes traders see a fragile recovery. Breitbart stresses far fewer Hormuz transits and the IRGC-CENTCOM dispute, using a 24.4 million pre-war baseline. The New York Post cites analysts on market adaptation, US naval protection and freight rates.