The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Sept. 30, edition that oil exports from the Middle East have sharply increased this month, nearing pre-Iranian shutdown levels in the Strait of Hormuz in March, potentially easing pressure on global energy prices. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that in September, an average of 10 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily, while six million barrels of crude per day left the Persian Gulf states via alternative pipelines and ports. Before the war with Iran, about 19 million barrels of crude were exported daily. Due to challenges in tracking, reported export figures may not represent actual flow, but most experts agree that volumes increased this month. A United States military operation to protect vessels has reportedly boosted shipments from major exporters like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Strait conflict expert Eugene Gholz says, "They are getting a substantial amount of oil out, and it is increasing over time as shippers' confidence goes up." Washington has for weeks claimed the strait is open and that tankers are moving oil through the strait. Some analysts say the increase in oil exports shows that Iran may be losing its grip on the waterway.