The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday rejected Iran’s claims that vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz only through routes designated by Tehran, asserting that Iran does not control the strategically important waterway.

CENTCOM said US forces had facilitated the transit of more than 800 commercial vessels carrying 380 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May. The statement came amid renewed military hostilities between Washington and Tehran that have placed the fragile memorandum of understanding between the two countries under fresh strain.

CENTCOM Rejects Iran’s Claims Over Strait Of Hormuz

In a post on X, CENTCOM disputed claims by Iranian state media that vessels could travel through the Strait of Hormuz only along routes designated by Tehran.

“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,” CENTCOM said.

The US military command said American forces had helped commercial ships and oil shipments move through the strategically important international trade corridor.

“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,” CENTCOM said.

Attacks On Ships Put US-Iran Agreement Under Strain

The fragile memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has come under renewed pressure following attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.

Iran accused the vessels of attempting to travel through the waterway without seeking Tehran’s approval, according to Al Jazeera.

The United States responded with strikes on Iran on Thursday morning, including attacks targeting the capital, Tehran.

Iran subsequently launched missiles and drones at several Gulf countries, while Iranian officials reported fresh attacks on the country on Friday.

The renewed military confrontation has increased uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for the global economy that has already faced disruptions during the war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

Iran Claims Missile Strikes On US Air Base In Jordan

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed that it targeted 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” and said the strikes were retaliation for a recent US attack on Tehran.

According to a statement carried by Iran’s state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the missile attacks marked the “second phase” of Iran’s response to what it described as US aggression.

“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,” the statement said.

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