The U.S. Energy Secretary Wright publicly announced on his social media account, "with pleasure," that an average of 9 million barrels of oil per day were exported through the Strait of Hormuz last week, and with pipeline shipments, Middle Eastern oil production reached 15 million barrels per day. The peak export volume occurred on Sunday (20 million barrels), surpassing pre-war levels.
Upon release of this figure, a major uproar ensued. The number is significantly higher than current estimates from most oil tanker tracking services, which range between 4 million and 6 million barrels per day.
How many barrels in the Secretary's figures are transported via the "Iranian route," and how many via the Oman route?
If the route favored by the U.S.—the "Oman route"—were used, it would mean higher shipping costs for oil tankers and increased insurance premiums.
There is no evidence supporting the claim that 8 million barrels per day are being shipped via the "Oman route," nor is there evidence that 9 million barrels per day are exiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
Without credible evidence, the Secretary is clearly fabricating data—deliberately distorting numbers and inventing statistics—aimed at calming market fears.
If oil could flow freely like this, what would be the point of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz? It wouldn't even be Iran's so-called "ace in the hole" anymore.
If exports already exceed pre-war levels, then hasn't the war effectively ended—and hasn't the U.S. won?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873256675342336/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author