US Reported to Have Built Secret Oil Corridor in Strait of Hormuz, Moving 10 Million Barrels Daily

US military has reportedly established a "hidden" transport corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping chokepoint.

The operation has been ongoing for weeks. According to Axios on Wednesday, 15-20 tankers pass through the southern route along the Omani coast each night, moving roughly 10 million barrels of oil daily into global energy markets—about half of pre-war volumes.

US Central Command's operations over the past two weeks have reportedly degraded Iran's radar and maritime surveillance capabilities, significantly reducing its ability to monitor traffic on the southern corridor.

But the US military's role goes beyond escorting outbound tankers. Reports say they are also assisting empty tankers traveling from the Arabian Sea into the Persian Gulf to load oil from regional countries before heading back out.

The report adds that a task force based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, coordinates with Gulf partner nations to track vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Sea on a daily basis.

A US official told the outlet: "We have controlled the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz for two months. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may cause trouble, but they do not control the strait. We do."

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Analyst Bullish on Supply Impact

On Thursday, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan responded to the report on X, saying "if true, this is significant."

When a user asked whether the volume of oil being moved was enough to impact overall supply, he replied that it "easily exceeds what could be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve." He added that market data is currently "very limited."

Earlier this month, De Haan said SPR draws were expected to end in September, with reserves likely remaining above 275 million barrels. The previously authorized release of 172 million barrels was nearing completion.

At press time, Brent crude futures were up 2.63% at $94.04 per barrel, while WTI crude futures rose 2.80% to $88.23.

Trump Says Iran Talks a Waste of Time

Earlier this week, analysts said the US was gaining control of the Strait of Hormuz while Iran's influence in the region was waning.

The US Navy has been patrolling the strait, and over the past two weeks more than 80% of liquid cargo shipments have taken the Omani route. Despite the risks, most vessels are choosing to ignore Iranian demands and transit under US Navy protection.

On Wednesday, Trump told Axios that the US is not currently negotiating with Iran, calling talks "a waste of time," while noting that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are "enormous."

The president said: "The Iranians still have some fighting capability, but overall they are on their last legs."