Volume is given as roughly 10 million barrels a day — about half the pre-conflict flow through the Strait. The same officials state that U.S. forces control the southern lane and that fighter cover is provided.

JMIC Update 086 (ICOD 18 August) does not describe a named night corridor. It does record that the threat level remains SEVERE, that attack frequency against commercial shipping has increased, and that U.S. CENTCOM figures as of 17 August stand at 64 commercial vessels redirected, three disabled, and two boarded. U.S.-facilitated Strait of Hormuz transits in the 48 hours to 17 August are listed as 42.

Vessels transiting with AIS on can expect directed hails instructing them to divert toward the northern, Iranian-controlled route. The southern lane is the one the U.S. officials claim to hold. The two pictures of the same water at night, taken from the bridge, show what the watch actually sees: the Oman coast close aboard and the dark transit under stars and distant shore lights.

Established

• Axios (via Meduza / Iran International): U.S. officials describe a southern night corridor along the Oman coast, 15–20 tankers per night, ~10 mb/d.
• JMIC Update 086: threat level SEVERE; 64 redirected / 3 disabled / 2 boarded (CENTCOM as of 17 Aug); 42 U.S.-facilitated SoH transits in the preceding 48 hours.
• Recent UKMTO warnings (115-26 / 116-26) of projectile strikes remain the last named kinetic events in the file.

Not established

• That the corridor is formally designated in any CENTCOM, Pentagon or UKMTO product.
• Exact nightly numbers beyond the two officials quoted by Axios.
• That Iranian forces have zero ability to interfere with the southern lane.
• Current night-by-night volume for 18–20 August.