CENTCOM Rejects Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Closure Claim, Says Maritime Traffic Continues

WASHINGTON, June 20: The US military on Saturday rejected Iran’s claim that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying international maritime traffic through the strategic waterway remained active under US monitoring.

“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins told Axios, adding that US forces were monitoring developments to ensure freedom of navigation continues.

The statement came after Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced that the waterway would be closed, citing what it described as US breaches of commitments and Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon.

When contacted by Anadolu, the Pentagon referred questions to CENTCOM, which said it had no additional comments beyond its earlier statement that US forces remained “present and vigilant” to ensure compliance with the agreement with Iran.

CENTCOM said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz remained “intact,” reporting that 55 merchant vessels had recently transited the waterway while carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil and other cargo to global markets.

The conflicting statements from Tehran and Washington have increased uncertainty over the status of one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes.