What Do Tanker Data Say About the Strait of Hormuz? / The Chokepoint the US Cannot Escape Either

International shipping and oil market data show that the claim of US independence from the Strait of Hormuz overlooks the complex reality of energy markets. Even reduced direct US dependence on this waterway does not prevent oil and fuel price shocks from passing through to the US economy.

According to Ambassador Arjan, according to the data of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), in the first half of 2025, an average of 20.9 million barrels of oil and oil products passed through the Strait of Hormuz per day; A volume equivalent to about a fifth of the global consumption of petroleum liquids and nearly a quarter of the seaborne oil trade. More than 20% of the world trade of liquefied natural gas was also dependent on this route. These figures show that the Strait of Hormuz is not just a regional crossing, but one of the main bottlenecks of the global economy; A bottleneck where any disruption could increase the cost of energy for consumers around the world.

It is true that America's direct dependence on oil passing through Hormuz is more limited than some Asian economies, but this fact does not mean that the American economy is immune. According to EIA data, in the first half of 2025, the import of American crude oil and condensate from the Persian Gulf countries that passed through this strait was about 400,000 barrels per day; A figure equivalent to about 2% of the consumption of petroleum liquids in this country. However, oil is priced in the global market, and a disruption in Persian Gulf supply could raise the price of gasoline, diesel, transportation, and manufacturing goods in the United States. Al Jazeera's report on October 5, 2026, also mentioned the continuation of high gasoline prices in the United States and Trump's attempt to attribute the high fuel prices to factors other than the war with Iran.

Marine accident in the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil tanker

Data from Kepler released by Reuters on Oct. 8 shed light on the extent of the vulnerability.The number of cargo ships passing through the strait on Tuesday fell to seven, with the flow of crude oil reaching about 10.1 million barrels per day.

More importantly, Reuters reported on October 13 that despite Middle East oil exports approaching pre-war levels, the price of Brent remains above $100 per barrel; It is a sign that the return of the supply volume alone is not enough to solve the market's concern and reduce the cost of energy.

In such a situation, America's claim of no need for the Strait of Hormuz is an attempt to downplay the consequences of the disruption in this waterway rather than removing the country's vulnerability. The United States can obtain part of its direct needs from domestic production or other suppliers, but it cannot simply separate itself from the effect of the global oil price on its economy; Especially since the increase in fuel prices directly puts pressure on the cost of households, transportation and the price of goods. From this point of view, the strategic importance of Hormuz for Iran is not only limited to the volume of oil that passes through it; This strait is located at the junction of regional security and the global economy, and any lasting crisis in it will bring a cost beyond the region. The data does not support America's claim of immunity; Rather, they show that even an economy with less direct dependence is not safe from the consequences of disruption in one of the most important energy arteries of the world.