Crude oil exports from Middle Eastern countries rose above pre-war levels in the last week of September, despite the continuing war between the United States and the Islamic Republic and repeated attacks on ships. Reuters reported on Monday, 5 October 2026, citing preliminary data from ship-tracking firm Kpler, that the region's exports reached 19.5 to 22.5 million barrels per day on 24 September and from 27 to 29 September.
According to Reuters, the region's average crude exports from March 2025 to February 2026, before the war began, were about 18 million barrels per day. The seven-day moving average of exports reached 18.5 million barrels per day as of 1 October. The figure includes cargoes passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, exports from terminals and ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman. Total shipments of crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals and non-gas liquids averaged 22.4 million barrels per day in the seven days to 30 September.
LNG also reaches a multi-month high
According to the same data, the number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes leaving the Strait of Hormuz in September reached its highest monthly level since February. Iran International noted that before the war about 125 large commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz every day, and the waterway carried nearly one-fifth of the world's daily supply of crude oil and LNG.
The recovery in the region's exports comes as, according to media reports, the Islamic Republic's own oil exports remain practically halted under the US naval blockade.
Daily attacks on ships
However, the threat to shipping has not diminished. According to Reuters, maritime intelligence firm Marisks recorded at least seven incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz in a report published on Saturday, 3 October. The very large crude carrier "Kazimah 3" was hit by an unidentified projectile while transiting the strait on 1 October and caught fire; all crew members left the ship safely.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) has also reported at least one incident a day in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Aden since 2 October. Marisks warned that commercial vessels face a threat that is becoming more severe and unpredictable by the day. In the firm's assessment, evidence suggests that Islamic Republic forces are probably firing missiles towards a predetermined area, and that these missiles lock onto any radar target within that zone rather than aiming at a specific ship.
Oil exports by Iran's neighbours have returned to pre-war levels, but every day at least one ship is attacked in Hormuz or the Gulf of Aden.
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