# Oil Flows Out of Hormuz

> Crude oil returns to prewar levels as refined products lag.
- Title: Oil Flows Out of Hormuz · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: Crude oil returns to prewar levels as refined products lag. U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports has restored crude oil flows to near prewar levels but…
- Keywords: strait of hormuz, iran, trump, diesel prices, u.s. navy, iranian ports, saudi arabia, kpler, refined products, oil exports, gulf, iranian regime
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/01/oil-strait-hormuz-iran-trump-war-gulf-gas-diesel-prices
- Author: Keith Johnson
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: strait of hormuz, iran, trump, diesel prices, u.s. navy, iranian ports, saudi arabia, kpler, refined products, oil exports, gulf, iranian regime
## Oil Flows Return
Crude oil supplies out of the Strait of Hormuz have returned nearly to prewar levels after seven months of war.
## Refined Products Lag
Refined products such as gasoline and diesel remain short by over half of prewar levels, causing high prices.
## Saudi Arabia Outperforms
Saudi Arabia is exporting at least 6.4 million barrels of crude daily, surpassing 2025 export numbers.
## Kpler Estimates
Kpler reports average weekly crude flows at 13.5 million barrels a day, double September's average.
## U.S. Naval Blockade
U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and escorting tankers have restored crude flows but not refined products.
## Trump's Diesel Plan
Trump proposes a ban on U.S. diesel exports to lower prices ahead of midterm elections.
## Diesel Prices Rise
Diesel prices in the U.S. and Europe hit near-record highs due to missing refined products.
## Ukraine Strikes
Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries worsen the shortage of refined products.
## China's Ban
China has renewed export bans on refined products, delaying global market relief.
## Tanker Transfers
Ship-to-ship transfers in calmer waters off Oman strain the global tanker fleet.
## Freight Rates Soar
Freight rates for tankers have risen twentyfold since the war began, reaching $1 million a day.
## Iran's Response
Iran may escalate attacks on energy facilities as its economic situation worsens.
## U.S. Blockade Limits
The U.S. naval presence required for the southern route out of Hormuz cannot last indefinitely.
## Escalation Risk
Hostilities could resume as Iran seeks leverage and Trump threatens renewed military action.
## Key takeaway

U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports has restored crude oil flows to near prewar levels but refined products remain short, causing high diesel prices for months.