US rebutes Iran's claim of having control on Strait of Hormuz
Washington DC, July 10
The US Central Command on Friday rebutted claims by Iran that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is restricted to routes designated solely by Tehran.
The CENTCOM said that the US has facilitated the transit of over 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil, quashing Iran's claims.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "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."
The fragile memorandum of understanding (MoU) of the US and Iran raised eyebrows again as three ships were attacked in the strait in recent days, after Iran accused them of attempting to pass without seeking its approval, as per Al Jazeera.
The US hit back with strikes on Thursday morning, hitting the capital, Tehran, too. Iran has, in turn, fired missiles and drones at multiple Gulf nations. On Friday, Iranian officials reported new attacks on the country.
All of this has implications for a global economy that has for decades depended on the Strait of Hormuz, that suffered in recent months as the US-Israel alliance waged war on Iran, and that is now again on tenterhooks.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed it had struck the US Al-Azraq air base in northern Jordan with 10 ballistic missiles on what it described as an "enemy command and control centre in West Asia" in retaliatory strikes in response to 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 aggression by the United States.
"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 read.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Iran's claims sound like pure propaganda. 800 commercial vessels in a few months shows the US is effectively maintaining free passage. The IRGC's missile strikes on Jordanian bases are dangerously provocative. International law clearly states straits used for navigation must remain open to all.
Bhaichara, this is a classic case of big powers playing games. Iran wants to control the strait, US says no. Meanwhile, countries like India are caught in the middle. Our oil tankers could be targeted. We need to diversify our energy sources ASAP. Look at Russia and Central Asia options. 🤔
Respectful dissent: I think Iran has legitimate security concerns in the Gulf, but claiming total control over the Strait of Hormuz is unrealistic. That said, US strikes on Tehran don't help either. Both sides are escalating. For us in India, diplomacy is the only way forward. War in West Asia = suffering for everyone. 🌍
Does anyone really believe Iran can control such a critical waterway? The US Navy and allied forces vastly outmatch them. But this also shows how fragile global trade is. One crisis in the Gulf and the whole world suffers. India should push for a United Nations-backed security arrangement here. Chai pe discussion needed! ☕
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.