The United States military has rejected Iran’s claim that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that maritime traffic is continuing through the strategic waterway.
In a statement posted on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, “Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.”
CENTCOM further challenged a statement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announcing the closure, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz remains an international waterway.
The command added that US forces are positioned and prepared to ensure freedom of navigation through the vital shipping route, which carries a significant share of the world’s oil exports.
The exchange comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, with Iran launching attacks on US-allied Gulf states following recent US strikes on Iranian targets, raising concerns over regional stability and global energy supplies.