WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance said Monday that a “substantial amount of oil and gas” was flowing through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran’s efforts to disrupt shipping in the vital waterway.
“We continue to see a substantial amount of oil and gas flow through the Strait of Hormuz despite the Iranians terrorising ships every single day,” Vance said.
“We’re of course trying to protect the free flow of commerce as much as we can,” he added.
Vance also reiterated President Donald Trump’s position that Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon”.
.@VP: “We continue to see a substantial amount of oil and gas flow through the Strait of Hormuz despite the Iranians terrorizing ships every single day.” pic.twitter.com/eTKcIXROpG
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 21, 2026
The US Vice President’s comments came as commercial shipping continued to face security incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy supplies.
Tankers hit by projectiles
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Monday that a tanker travelling inbound through the Strait had been struck by an unknown projectile.
“Military authorities have informed UKMTO that a tanker conducting an inbound transit was struck by an unknown projectile,” the agency said.
Two crew members sustained minor injuries, while the vessel continued towards its next port of call under its own power, UKMTO said. It added that there was no reported environmental impact.
UKMTO WARNING 140-26
Click here to view the full product.⤵️https://t.co/WVkFIoPW0l#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/CVFhhsDnvU
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) September 21, 2026
Later, UKMTO reported a separate incident involving an LPG tanker travelling outbound from the Strait.
The vessel was hit by debris from unknown projectiles, the agency said. All crew members were safe and there was no environmental impact. The tanker was expected to continue to its next port of call.
UKMTO_WARNING_141-26 ATTACKhttps://t.co/r00PFSq7vK#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/zj72mBRYHn
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) September 21, 2026
Oil prices fall
Despite the latest shipping incidents, oil prices fell sharply on Monday after Trump said he was open to renewed talks with Iran.
Brent crude fell more than 3 percent in early trading, erasing part of the risk premium that had pushed prices above $100 a barrel earlier this month.
Market developments also reflected expectations that energy supplies could remain more resilient than feared.
US Central Command said oil and cargo flows through the Strait had reached their highest level in six months.
Reuters reported that crude oil stocks in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 284.6 million barrels last week, their lowest level since October 1982. The drawdown is part of a US agreement to release 172 million barrels from the reserve.
The fall in oil prices came as markets also assessed the prospect of renewed US-Iran diplomacy and other major economic developments.
