Middle East crude exports have
bounced back to 98% of pre-war levels, reaching a 10-day average of 17.5
million barrels per day, thanks to Saudi Arabia's restored East-West pipeline
and ship-to-ship transfers. Iranian exports have dropped to zero under a U.S.
naval blockade, with no crude loadings since mid-July and stockpiles building
inside the zone.
Attacks continue, including a recent tanker strike on October 1 that caused a fire but left the crew safe, as alternative routes like UAE and Saudi pipelines bypass the strait for 40% of non-Iranian crude.