U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated Saturday evening that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and that maritime traffic continues as normal, according to the CENTCOM spokesperson. The statement directly contradicts Iran's Chief of the General Staff, who claimed on Friday that Iranian forces control the strait and can block shipping.
CENTCOM's statement Saturday evening explicitly denies that Iran exerts any control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, asserting that maritime traffic continues uninterrupted. The spokesperson, quoted by Israeli media, said U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure it remains this way.
The statement directly counters remarks by Iran's military Chief of the General Staff, who declared on Friday that Iranian forces control the strait and that no vessel could pass without Tehran's permission. That threat followed earlier claims by the IRGC that the strait was closed, which the U.S. has repeatedly disputed.
As The Zioneer has reported, CENTCOM previously confirmed on several occasions that commercial shipping continued transiting the strait despite Iran's declarations. The U.S. Navy also issued a Persian-language warning to IRGC vessels near the strait last week.
The ongoing back-and-forth over the status of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments — reflects heightened naval friction between the United States and Iran. No independent confirmation of any disruption to shipping has emerged, and the U.S. maintains that its forces are ready to keep the waterway open.
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