CENTCOM Claims It Has Assisted 1,000 Ships Through Strait of Hormuz Since May

Washington (ANTARA) - US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed on Wednesday that it has helped around 1,000 vessels carrying 500 million barrels of crude oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz since May.

“Since early May, CENTCOM forces have assisted approximately 1,000 vessels and 500 million barrels of crude oil in transiting this narrow waterway,” the command wrote on X.

CENTCOM added that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has no authority to dictate shipping traffic through free and open maritime routes.

Previously, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, told RIA Novosti that by attempting to divert traffic through the southern route (Oman), the US triggered the current escalation, as Tehran wants ships to transit through Iran’s route.

On the eve of 18 June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum to end the conflict that began on 28 February.

However, since 8 July, US forces have carried out a series of attacks against Iran. CENTCOM claimed the strikes were in retaliation for Iran’s actions against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian forces then responded by attacking US bases in the Middle East.

On 12 July, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until US interference in the region ends, following another wave of air strikes between the warring parties.

The following day, US President Donald Trump said the United States would act as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. He also reimposed the US blockade on Iranian ports.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti