'Tehran Doesn't Control Hormuz': US Rejects Iran's Strait Closure Claim

Tehran has declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with the United States, yet CENTCOM insists the waterway remains open for international shipping.

Despite Tehran announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed tensions with Washington, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday asserted that the strategic waterway remains open to international shipping.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said the vital oil-shipping route is accessible to all vessels lawfully transiting the international waterway and stressed that US forces remain deployed in the region to safeguard freedom of navigation.

Slamming Iran over what it described as “unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations,” the US military command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted maritime traffic through the strait.

“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations.”

CENTCOM also rejected Tehran’s claim of authority over the waterway, stating that commercial traffic continues to move normally.

“Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.”

Highlighting the scale of maritime activity in the region, the US command said more than 140 vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz over the past seven days. It added that over the last two months, more than 800 ships carrying upwards of 400 million barrels of crude oil have passed through the strategic passage with transit supported by US forces.

The statement came a day after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an incident involving a commercial vessel, further escalating tensions in the region.

Hours after Iran’s announcement, the United States carried out a fresh round of military strikes against Iran, raising fresh concerns over the fragile ceasefire agreement reached between the two sides last month.