The United States issued a stern warning to Iran on Thursday, emphasizing it will not allow Tehran to 'hold the global economy hostage' by disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy and trade.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told 'Sky News Arabia' that Washington will continue to take firm measures against any Iranian attempts to impede ship movement through the strait.
The spokesperson declared, 'The United States will not permit Iran to disrupt navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or hold the global economy hostage.'
They reaffirmed that Washington will 'continue to take decisive actions to thwart Iran's attempts to blackmail the global economy by obstructing traffic in the strait.'
1600 Ships and 800 Million Barrels
According to the U.S. official, despite what they described as 'Iran’s aggressive practices,' the U.S. military has aided over 1600 commercial ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, U.S. forces have facilitated the transportation of more than 800 million barrels of crude oil through this vital maritime corridor.
The statistics released by Washington underscore the significance of the ongoing struggle for freedom of navigation in the strait, a crucial pathway for energy exports from the Gulf to world markets.
Washington: Status Quo Won't Be Normalized
The State Department spokesperson affirmed that the U.S. will continue to cooperate with allies and partners in the region and beyond to ensure the continuity of international shipping.
They stated that Washington is working to ensure that Iran's 'illegal practices of disrupting international shipping' do not become a normalized or acceptable situation.
The remarks come at a time when shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz remain under military tension, raising concerns about the impact of potential escalation on oil supply, prices, and global trade.
Washington insists it aims to keep the strait open for trade and energy movement while continuing to exchange accusations and threats with Tehran over military operations targeting vessels in the region.