U.S. military forces have helped move about five million barrels of oil a day through the Strait of Hormuz in July, using stealthy routes near Oman to guide tankers through the southern part of the waterway. The effort, which began in May, has helped millions of barrels reach global markets and limited further pressure on oil prices as Iran’s attacks made ship traffic increasingly dangerous. Before the war, about 15 million barrels of crude oil passed through the strait each day. Iran effectively controls access to its side of the waterway, opposite Oman, while the U.S.-supported corridor has kept a limited flow operating despite the attacks. Shipping analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann called the operation one of the surprising successes of the conflict, but the mission has required significant U.S. military resources for a volume of oil that previously moved freely.