US Military Counters Iran: Strait of Hormuz Remains Open for Traffic
The United States military has stated that commercial shipping continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting Iran's claim that the vital waterway has been closed. In a series of posts on social media platform X on Sunday (July 12, 2026), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) declared: “Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.”
The statement directly contradicted an earlier announcement by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that the strait—a crucial conduit for global oil shipments—was being shut. CENTCOM later emphasised that the strait “remains an international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to keep it that way.”
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz is the latest escalation in the ongoing war in West Asia. On the same day, Iran launched attacks on US-allied Gulf states, in retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian positions. This further threatens a tentative ceasefire deal that was intended to pause hostilities while negotiators work toward a permanent resolution.
The strait, located between Iran and Oman, sees about one-fifth of the world's oil pass through it daily. Any prolonged closure could disrupt global energy markets and raise prices worldwide. The US military's reassurances aim to calm fears of an immediate blockade.
Both sides have traded accusations of violating previous agreements, and the situation remains volatile. International observers urge restraint to avoid a broader regional conflict.
