U.S. Officials Say 20-30 Tankers Cross Hormuz Nightly Under Military Cover

U.S. officials say 20 to 30 tankers now cross the Strait of Hormuz each night through the southern channel under American military cover, carrying an average 9 million to 10 million barrels, about half the prewar volume. A U.S.-UAE task force guides ships while aircraft intercept Iranian drone and cruise-missile attacks; one official said only 2% of ships transiting in the past month were hit. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said recognized routes are free of Iranian mines and international shipping lanes are open. Officials aim to raise capacity to at least 50 ships nightly by mid-September, though oil experts dispute the current volume estimate.