Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that oil continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz at high volumes despite Iranian drone attacks on tankers. He stated that vessels may get hit yet many simply sail on, even when Iran launches three to six drones after them. According to Bessent, the U.S. Navy is successfully blocking those threats while daily exports range between 10 and 15 million barrels and sometimes reach 17 million. He noted that before the conflict the figure stood at 20 million barrels a day, with roughly another 3 million now leaving through alternate methods.

Bessent’s comments frame the situation as one in which Iranian attacks have not halted the bulk of oil traffic. By emphasizing that tankers often continue their journeys after being targeted, he sought to reassure markets about the resilience of the supply route. The figures have raised questions about the long-term effectiveness of the drone campaign, the sustainability of current export levels, and how much further the volumes could recover if the attacks ease.