U.S. Central Command stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open for transit, despite Iran's earlier declaration last night that the waterway was closed. The claim marks the latest back-and-forth between Washington and Tehran over control of the strategic chokepoint, where the U.S. Navy has been operating.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement on Friday evening asserting that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping, directly refuting Iranian claims that the waterway was closed overnight. The statement came hours after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Authority for the Management of the Strait of Hormuz declared the strait closed following American strikes in the region. The U.S. Navy continues to operate in the area.
This latest exchange is part of an escalating naval confrontation between the United States and Iran. Overnight, CENTCOM itself initially reported that commercial ships continued transiting the strait despite the IRGC's closure declaration, which it dismissed as a bluff. As The Zioneer has reported over the past 24 hours, the situation has seesawed between claims and counterclaims: first the IRGC announced a closure at 01:44 Jerusalem, then the Iranian civil authority made it formal, then U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth said a transit project went subsurface, and now CENTCOM asserts normal passage has resumed.
No independent confirmation of the strait's actual status is available. The conflicting statements from both sides mean the operational reality remains unverified. The key open question is whether vessels are currently able to transit without interference.
19 developments
- StrongCENTCOM: Commercial shipping continues transiting the Strait of Hormuz overnight
- ConfirmedUS military maintains blockade on Iranian ports until Friday deal signing; Strait of Hormuz remains closed
- DevelopingHegseth says project to transit Hormuz never stopped, just went subsurface
- StrongUS official expects significant increase in Strait of Hormuz traffic within two weeks
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- Internal intake