US Military Runs Secret Oil Corridor Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran War

The U.S. military has established a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing oil tankers to move despite continuing conflict with Iran, Axios reported Wednesday, citing two U.S. officials. The officials said 15 to 20 tankers can transit nightly through a southern lane near Oman, carrying about 10 million barrels of oil daily, although independent tracking data indicates substantially lower visible traffic and warns that vessels operating without transponders may be missed. U.S. forces reportedly protect tanker movements and help empty vessels enter the Gulf, load oil from regional producers and depart safely. The operation followed U.S. strikes that degraded Iranian coastal surveillance, radar and maritime capabilities. CENTCOM has separately confirmed attacks against Iranian radar and maritime systems and said commercial vessels continue receiving U.S. military support. President Donald Trump has said the strait is open, while Iranian officials maintain it remains closed. Shipping remains well below prewar levels.