US Central Command Rejects Iranian Claims Over Strait of Hormuz
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has firmly rebutted claims by Iran that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is restricted to routes designated solely by Tehran. In a statement issued on Friday, CENTCOM asserted that Iran does not control the strategic waterway, highlighting that US forces have facilitated the successful transit of over 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil since early May.
In a post on X, CENTCOM stated: "CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is only permitted through routes designated by Iran. TRUTH: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through the vital international trade corridor."
Escalating Tensions and Recent Attacks
The fragile memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran has come under renewed strain following attacks on three ships in the strait in recent days. According to Al Jazeera, Iran accused these vessels of attempting to pass without seeking its approval. The US responded with strikes on Thursday morning, hitting targets including the capital, Tehran. In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and drones at multiple Gulf nations. On Friday, Iranian officials reported new attacks on the country.
These developments have significant implications for the global economy, which has long depended on the Strait of Hormuz for oil transit. The region has suffered in recent months as the US-Israel alliance waged war on Iran, and tensions remain high.
IRGC Claims Missile Strikes on US Base
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Thursday that it struck the US Al-Azraq air base in northern Jordan with 10 ballistic missiles. The IRGC described the target as an "enemy command and control centre in West Asia" in retaliatory strikes for a recent attack on Tehran by Washington. According to a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC said the missile strikes marked the "second phase" of its response to what it described as US aggression.
The statement read: "At 2:20 pm today, IRGC aerospace fighters destroyed the enemy's command and control centre in West Asia and the enemy air base in Al-Azraq, Jordan, with 10 ballistic missiles."
