US Official: Oil Flow Through Strait of Hormuz Near Pre-War Levels

US Vice President Jay Vance stated on Thursday that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to "almost" pre-conflict levels, following Iran's threats and attempts to disrupt energy supplies. Vance told reporters at the White House that three months ago, virtually no oil and gas passed through the strait due to Iranian threats, but now it has nearly returned to its previous state before the conflict began in February.

Vance emphasized that "all options are on the table" against Iran, including economic, military, diplomatic, and covert actions. He asserted that the US is pressuring Iran to cease attacks on commercial vessels, acknowledging Iran's continued attempts but claiming that "the Iranians are losing their capabilities day by day."

Regarding the current tensions, Vance clarified that he does not believe the situation should be accurately described as a "war." He explained that the US is currently protecting a significant number of ships, which has prevented a global energy crisis, noting that "15 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz last night." He added that the President has many additional tools to use against Iran.

Vance warned that if the US does not protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, no other party will, leading to a "catastrophic global energy crisis." He recalled that the strait was open before the conflict, with unimpeded flows of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, and other goods.

When asked about a US strike that reportedly killed four people at a wedding in southern Iran, Vance stated, "We are investigating." He also expressed skepticism about official Iranian media reports concerning the conflict, calling them "not a reliable conveyor of what is happening."