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

Washington - US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed on Wednesday that it has assisted approximately 1,000 ships carrying 500 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since May. “Since early May, CENTCOM forces have assisted approximately 1,000 ships and 500 million barrels of crude oil through the narrow waterway,” the command wrote on X. CENTCOM added that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has no authority to dictate free and open maritime traffic 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 is provoking the current escalation, as Tehran wants ships to transit through Iranian waters. On the night before 18 June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum to end the conflict that began on 28 February. However, since 8 July, US forces have conducted a series of strikes against Iran. CENTCOM claimed the strikes were in retaliation for Iranian actions against merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces subsequently retaliated by attacking US bases in the Middle East. On 12 July, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the end of US interference in the region, following another wave of air strikes between the warring parties. The following day, US President Donald Trump said the US would be the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. He also reimposed a US blockade on Iranian ports.