Dubai: Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz nearly tripled during the 60-day period covered by a now-expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, according to ship-tracking analysis by trade intelligence firm Kpler.
Around 374 million barrels of oil left the Gulf during the period, equivalent to approximately 6.1 million barrels per day, Kpler said in a briefing.
Oil flows increased sharply
Between April and the signing of the MoU on June 17, an average of about 2.3 million barrels per day were exported through the Gulf.
The agreement brought a significant increase in shipments. However, oil flows remained at only around 40 per cent of the approximately 15 million barrels that passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day in 2025.
More than half of the shipments during the agreement took place within its first three weeks, with volumes declining towards the end of the 60-day period.
Hormuz remains vital to global energy
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying large volumes of crude oil and other petroleum products from Gulf producers to international markets.
Kpler said shipments became increasingly limited towards the end of the agreement, with oil accumulating behind the strategic chokepoint.
The development highlights the continuing sensitivity of global energy markets to disruptions in the region.
MoU expires without peace deal
The US-Iran MoU expired on Monday without a permanent peace agreement. The arrangement had followed diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan playing a significant role in facilitating discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Both countries had presented the MoU as a possible step towards ending the conflict. However, negotiations have since stalled.
Continuing attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz remain a major concern for global energy markets, given the route’s importance to international oil supplies.