The United States has declared that Iran no longer possesses the capacity to close the Strait of Hormuz, a claim made as commercial shipping through the critical energy chokepoint returned to near-normal levels.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated Wednesday that US military escorts of commercial vessels have effectively neutralized Tehran's ability to disrupt transit in the future.
Wright highlighted that approximately 72 ships, carrying roughly 19 million barrels of oil, passed through the strait in the past 24 hours.
Wright highlighted that approximately 72 ships, carrying roughly 19 million barrels of oil, passed through the strait in the past 24 hours.
This volume signals a rapid normalization of flow after weeks of heightened risk premiums and shipping disruptions.
The assertion of restored security comes as a direct counter to previous Iranian threats to block the waterway, which had kept global energy markets on edge.
The market reaction was immediate and pronounced.