CENTCOM says Iran does not control Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting reports by Iranian state media that commercial shipping is restricted to routes approved by Tehran.

“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said, adding that U.S. forces are assisting in ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.

“Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through the vital international trade corridor,” the command said.

Separately, Bloomberg reported a day earlier that, following recent U.S. strikes on Iran, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had nearly come to a halt.

By Tamilla Hasanova