U.S. claims that Middle East oil exports have returned to normal are being challenged by tanker-tracking data showing severely restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Most energy analysts have put the seven-day average of oil leaving the strait at millions of barrels below Wright’s assessment.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that oil exports from the Middle East rose above pre-war levels on Sunday and have been right around normal for a week — a highly…

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claims nearly nine million barrels daily leave the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel tracking services, however, report volumes closer to half this amount.…