The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, emphasizing that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has no authority to impose specific routes on commercial ships navigating the strait.
In a statement published on the platform X, CENTCOM noted that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has continued, after what it described as threats and attempts to attack commercial ships and civilian sailors recently, to claim that international ships must only use routes specified by them.
The Central Command added that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is guaranteed, confirming that commercial ships continue to pass through the waterway with U.S. military support.
It highlighted that since early May, its forces have assisted nearly 1,000 ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including shipments of crude oil amounting to about 500 million barrels, as part of efforts to ensure the security of navigation in one of the world's most crucial energy transport corridors.
These statements come amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran regarding maritime security in the Gulf region, with both sides exchanging accusations over the threats facing commercial vessels.