Nearly 40 Million Barrels Passed Through the Strait of Hormuz in 48 Hours — But the Viral Post Changes the Meaning

A social-media graphic claims that more than 40 million barrels of oil “surged out” of the Strait of Hormuz in two days, while labeling the waterway “TRUMP STRAIT” and adding the slogan “Trust IN TRUMP!”

The 40-million-barrel figure is based on a real statement from a U.S. official, but the graphic leaves out important context. The official said that nearly 40 million barrels of oil had transited the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. escort during the preceding 48 hours.

 

 

 

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That is different from saying that 40 million barrels suddenly “surged out” because of a new breakthrough. The number described oil moving through the waterway, not a newly produced 40 million barrels of oil entering the global market.

The statement was made on September 25, 2026, as U.S. and Iranian officials were discussing an Iranian proposal that could have reopened the Strait and restarted negotiations.

According to CBS News, a U.S. official said Washington was having “positive and constructive” discussions through mediators but was not in a hurry to reach an agreement because the United States believed it was in a strong position. The official cited the nearly 40 million barrels moving through Hormuz as evidence of that position.

 

 

 

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The figure was significant because the Strait had been heavily disrupted during the U.S.-Iran conflict. Getting tankers moving again under U.S. protection represented a change from the most restricted periods of the crisis.

U.S. Central Command had also reported that American forces were redirecting commercial vessels as part of enforcement of the U.S. blockade. By September 25, reports put the number of vessels redirected at 122.

The situation was therefore more complicated than the viral post suggests. Oil was moving through the Strait, but shipping conditions remained affected by military operations, security concerns and the unresolved dispute between Washington and Tehran.

 

 

 

The Iranian government had proposed a seven-day plan under which the Strait could be reopened and negotiations restarted if Washington accepted several conditions.

Those conditions included lifting the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, easing oil sanctions and addressing other elements of the two countries' dispute. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said normal maritime traffic could resume after seven days if the necessary conditions were met.

Trump rejected the proposal on September 26, saying the deal was unacceptable. He subsequently posted an image of the Strait of Hormuz with the words “TRUMP STRAIT.”

The name, however, was not an official renaming of the waterway. The internationally recognized name remains the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump had previously floated the idea on social media. On September 2, he asked whether the waterway should be renamed “TRUMP STRAIT,” saying it was now under U.S. control. That was a political/social-media designation rather than a legal change to the geographic name.

 

 

 

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The 40-million-barrel figure also needs to be viewed against normal oil traffic. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea.

So a large volume passing through the Strait over 48 hours does not mean that the United States had suddenly created a new oil supply. It means existing oil cargoes were able to transit the strategically important route.

The timing was nevertheless notable. The reported traffic occurred while Washington and Tehran were publicly debating whether to reach an agreement over the Strait.

 

 

 

Oil markets were watching the developments closely. On September 25, crude prices fell as traders reacted to signs of increased oil movement and possible diplomatic progress. The November WTI contract settled around $92.41 per barrel, while Brent settled around $104.32.

But subsequent events showed that increased tanker traffic did not mean the underlying U.S.-Iran dispute had been resolved.

By October 1, Reuters reported that Iran was preparing for a potentially stronger retaliation if the United States resumed large-scale attacks, while diplomatic efforts remained uncertain.

A Reuters report on October 2 likewise described continuing tensions and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, while noting concerns about additional U.S. military deployments in the region.

 

 

 

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The developments also help explain why the G7 agreed on October 2 to coordinate the release of up to 100 million barrels of crude oil and diesel from emergency reserves over four months. The G7 cited continuing disruptions and energy-market instability.

That separate decision demonstrates that, despite the 40 million barrels moving through Hormuz in the two-day period cited in the graphic, global fuel markets were still experiencing significant supply pressure.