Middle East Crude Oil Exports Top Pre-War Levels Even as Tanker Attacks Intensify

According to a Reuters report published Monday, 5 October 2026, preliminary data from ship-tracking firm Kpler show Middle East crude exports reached 19.5 to 22.5 million barrels per day on four of the last seven days of September, despite continued attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, exceeding the pre-war average of 18 million bpd recorded between March 2025 and February 2026. The seven-day moving average of crude exports stood at 18.5 million bpd on 1 October, while combined exports of crude, oil products and chemicals averaged 22.4 million bpd in the week to 30 September. Maritime intelligence firm Marisks reported at least seven incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, including a strike on the VLCC tanker Kazimah III on 1 October, which caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile; the crew was reported safe. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported at least one attack per day in the Strait of Hormuz or Gulf of Aden since 2 October.