‘Traffic flowing…Iran does not control strait’: US says Hormuz remains open despite Iranian threats | Today’s news
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping despite what it described as Iran’s “aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary statements”.
The statement came amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf after the US launched new strikes on Iranian targets following Tehran’s alleged attack on a Cypriot-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz and its subsequent claim that the strategic waterway had been closed.
“Iran does not control the strait”
In a post at X, CENTCOM emphasized that international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues without interruption.
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The Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying traffic is smooth and US forces are ready to ensure freedom of navigation despite Iranian threats.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas pass daily.
The conflict escalated after Iran reportedly attacked a Cypriot-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US to retaliate against around 140 Iranian targets.
Iran has threatened to control transit through the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that vessels may eventually have to pay for passage, and asserting that it will maintain oversight of navigation routes.
While the Iranian threats are serious, the U.S. High Command emphasized that international shipping continues unhindered and that U.S. forces are deployed to protect maritime traffic.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels wishing to legally pass through the international waterway.”
The command added that US forces remain deployed in the region to protect maritime traffic.
“US forces are positioned and ready to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite Iran’s unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary statements.”
CENTCOM also rejected any suggestion that Tehran has jurisdiction over the strategic waterway.
“Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.”
The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the busiest and most strategically important shipping lanes in the world, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Around a fifth of global oil consumption and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through the narrow waterway every day, vital to global energy markets.
Any disruption to shipping through the strait could have far-reaching consequences for oil prices, international trade and regional security.
CENTCOM’s comments come as tensions between the United States and Iran remain elevated following recent military exchanges and reports of Iranian attacks targeting several Gulf countries.
US strikes 140 targets in Iran after Strait of Hormuz ship attack; Tehran retaliates across the Gulf
The United States launched one of its biggest military operations against Iran on Sunday, hitting around 140 targets after Tehran reportedly attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded within hours by launching missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf countries that host US military forces, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The latest fighting has again called into question efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in the war that began on February 28, with the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz emerging as a major obstacle to negotiations.
The US launched massive strikes across Iran
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted around 140 sites across Iran, including:
Communication infrastructure
Other military facilities
According to the US military, the operation was launched after Iran attacked a Cypriot-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, setting the vessel on fire and forcing its crew to abandon ship.
CENTCOM said the attacks were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the operation in a post on X.
“Iran made a bad choice. Now it pays.”
Iranian state media reported that a naval officer had been killed in US airstrikes.
Iran will retaliate with regional missile attacks
Hours after the US operation, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting countries hosting US military forces.
Missile and drone strikes have been reported against:
Anti-missile warnings rang out across the bay as air defense systems intercepted the incoming projectiles.
Qatar’s military said it intercepted Iranian missiles, while the interior ministry said three people, including a child, were injured by falling shrapnel.
Bahrain activated its air defense systems, while the Kuwaiti military also intercepted incoming missiles.
Oman reported drone strikes near the Strait of Hormuz and issued a warning to residents there.
Jordan said three Iranian missiles landed inside the country, causing minor property damage but no casualties.
The United Arab Emirates announced warning sirens but said no Iranian missiles had flown into its territory.
Iran vows to control the Strait of Hormuz
Tehran has insisted it will retain control of transit through the Strait of Hormuz and has suggested the vessels could eventually be asked to pay for passage.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused commercial ships of ignoring what they described as approved navigation routes.
“Several vessels ignored our warning.
It added that one vessel “was hit by a warning shot and stopped”.
Iran later said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed “until further notice” and warned that it could target “other enemy bases in the region” if there were further attacks.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a warning on social media.
“The era of one-sided deals is OVER.”
“We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality knocks.”
Container ship attack triggers escalation
The latest military exchange began after Iran reportedly struck a Cypriot-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said the vessel sustained “significant engine room damage”.
The Omani Maritime Authority rescued 23 crew members, although one sailor is still missing.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the missing crew member was an Indian national and said it was coordinating with Omani authorities to locate him.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was sailing near the coast of Oman, a route increasingly used by commercial shipping to avoid Iranian territorial waters.
Read also | Iran rejects Trump’s demand for new negotiations and sends USA HARDCORE response
Truce under pressure
The renewed fighting threatens the interim ceasefire agreed between Washington and Tehran on June 17, which created a 60-day window for negotiations aimed at a permanent end to the conflict.
Although US President Donald Trump had declared the war “over” days earlier, repeated firefights over the Strait of Hormuz threatened diplomatic efforts.
The narrow waterway carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade, so any disruption is a major concern for global energy markets.
Diplomatic efforts continue
Despite the escalation, mediators including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt continue efforts to preserve the ceasefire.
Oman, which has been facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran, said discussions on the future of the Strait of Hormuz would continue “at a technical and political level”.
Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during the initial phase of the war.
“Such revenge is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out,” he said in a statement carried by Iranian state television.
The latest exchange represents one of the most significant escalations in the conflict to date, raising fears of a wider regional war and renewed disruption of global energy supplies.
Read also | Iran Attacks Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and UAE After New US Attacks
