The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has reaffirmed Washington’s position that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway that Iran has no legal authority to control.
Late Thursday, CENTCOM published a “fact check” addressing Iranian claims regarding the strategically important shipping route.
“CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is permitted only via routes designated by Iran,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
“FACT: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since the beginning of May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the safe passage of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through this vital international trade corridor,” the U.S. command added.
Tehran has stated that it intends to impose fees on vessels transiting the strait, a proposal that has been opposed by many countries.
Approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil and natural gas supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime routes and a recurring source of tension between the United States and Iran.
According to the source text, Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz following the launch of U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
