U.S. Energy Secretary: 18 million barrels of oil moved through the Gulf on Tuesday — back to pre-war levels

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said around 18 million barrels of oil moved through Gulf waters on Tuesday, reaching practically pre-conflict levels, in an interview with Fox News cited by Al Jazeera.

Wright acknowledged that the war with Iran “has taken some energy resources off the market,” but stressed that the U.S. goal is to end Iran’s ability “to raise energy prices forever.” He said he cannot predict Iranian behavior, but that the U.S. is working to guarantee the flow of energy.

“Around 18 million barrels came out yesterday, practically pre-conflict levels,” Wright said, adding that most of the energy infrastructure in the region remains “in good shape.”

The statements come at the peak of the global oil crisis: Saudi Arabia has suspended late-September shipments to European buyers, the strategic Saudi East–West pipeline remains closed after the attack, and Brent crude is hovering around $108 a barrel.

Source: Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/9/16/iran-war-live-irans-top-diplomat-heads-to-china-as-war-drags-on