Middle East oil flows reached 92% of their pre-war baseline in the final week of September, seven months after the US-Israel war with Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Kpler attributed the recovery to expanded pipeline exports, U.S.-supported vessel movements and a shuttle system in which large tankers transfer crude to other ships in the Gulf of Oman. About 40% of September’s regional oil exports bypassed the strait, compared with 17% before the war. However, Iranian attacks on commercial shipping continued, including on vessels using the U.S.-recommended southern route, while Iranian oil exports fell almost to zero after a U.S. naval blockade was reimposed in July. Analysts questioned whether the current arrangements can last, citing the risk of further escalation and uncertainty linked to U.S. midterm elections. Liquefied natural gas and refined-oil shipments remained well below pre-conflict levels.