US secretly establishes shipping corridor in Strait of Hormuz to maintain oil flow: media

The U.S. military has quietly established a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the daily passage of millions of barrels of oil, U.S. media outlet Axios News cited two U.S. officials as saying on Wednesday.

The operation, which has been ongoing for several weeks, has seen 15 to 20 tankers nightly traversing a southern route along the coast of Oman over the past two weeks. According to the U.S. officials, daily oil shipments have steadily increased and now approach 10 million barrels, with some nights seeing total exports from the Gulf reach 15 to 20 million barrels.

While oil volumes passing through the Strait of Hormuz remain below pre-conflict levels, the operation has already had a noticeable impact on global supply.

The operation extends beyond escorting loaded oil tankers, according to Axios News. It also assists empty tankers in entering the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea, where they load oil from regional countries before departing.

A working group managing the operation, under the command of U.S. Army headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, coordinates with Gulf partners to compile daily lists of vessels exiting the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Sea, as well as empty tankers entering the Persian Gulf through the strait from the Arabian Sea. Under the plan, these ships form large convoys at specific times each night -- one group exiting and another entering.

U.S. aircraft provide defense for these vessels against Iranian cruise missile and drone attacks.

The U.S. officials also stated that recent military operations by the U.S. Central Command have degraded Iranian radar and maritime surveillance systems, significantly reducing Iran's ability to monitor vessel traffic along the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz. Many Iranian attacks on ships have been intercepted by U.S. forces, they said.

Iran has not yet responded to the reports.

In a separate statement posted on social media on August 19, the U.S. Central Command said that U.S. forces continue to enforce a maritime blockade against Iran. As of August 19, U.S. forces have redirected 65 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two to ensure compliance.

US secretly establishes shipping corridor in Strait of Hormuz to maintain oil flow: media

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The international cooperation launch ceremony for the China-Germany co-produced animated series "Panda and Gummy Bear" was held in Berlin, Germany, on Friday.

The product is made to foster cultural exchange among youth and children, use animation as a bridge to build a platform for China-Germany cultural dialogue and deepen mutual learning among civilizations.

The event was hosted by China International Television Corporation and Germany's Gummy Bear International.   During the ceremony, the Chinese and German partners exchanged cooperation tokens. The two sides pledged they will integrate their resources in content production, brand operation, and overseas channels, engaging in in-depth collaboration on the series' overseas licensing and market promotion.   These efforts are expected to accelerate the entry of the series into the European market and help it reach audiences in more countries and regions.   As the latest production of China Media Group's "Panda He He" international co-production animated series, "Panda and Gummy Bear" was jointly created by China Central Television Animation Group and Germany's Gummy Bear International.   Its launch on YouTube and overseas licensing promotion mark an important step for the CMG's original animation IP to enter the European market and expand its overseas broadcasting footprint.

International release launched for China-Germany animated co-production "Panda and Gummy Bear"