Nairobi: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday reported that oil flows from the Gulf region are approaching 14 million barrels per day, with approximately half of this volume passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

According to Anadolu Agency, Wright discussed in an interview with ABC News that the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has persisted despite ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. He highlighted that the seven-day trailing average is currently just under seven million barrels a day flowing through the Strait, with an additional nearly seven million barrels per day being transported via bypass pipelines.

Wright stated, "So, we're at a little under 14 million barrels a day from the Arabian Gulf region. That's two-thirds of pre-conflict traffic, dramatically up from where we were back in March." The remarks come amidst escalating military exchanges between the US and Iran, despite efforts such as a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding signed in June aimed at ending the conflict and moving toward a peace agreement.

He further pointed out discrepancies in publicly available data, asserting, "almost all the public data" he had seen was "incorrect," and clarifying that oil continues to flow through two routes within the Strait of Hormuz. Wright also affirmed that the transportation of oil, gas, and other products can continue "with or without Iranian cooperation," while emphasizing President Donald Trump's desire for a peaceful resolution with Iran, stating, "if they're ready to do that, that's the way it will end. If not, we will continue to assure flow of traffic through the Strait without Iran's cooperation."