CENTCOM Commander: Iran Has Lost Ability to Monitor Strait of Hormuz

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command "CENTCOM," confirmed in a video recording today, Friday, that his forces and regional partners control the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper noted, however, that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces are no longer able to monitor or control Hormuz as they had for decades, despite their ongoing attempts to threaten international navigation.

The video recording came following a briefing Cooper provided yesterday to US President Donald Trump regarding the effectiveness of the naval blockade and potential military options concerning Iran.

In the recording, Cooper highlighted that US forces have helped more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil pass through the strait since summer, as part of ongoing operations to secure the international waterway.

The commander explained that Iran attempts to threaten navigation through sporadic attacks and mine-laying, but does not control the strait, noting that US forces succeeded in clearing main transit routes of naval mines planted by the Revolutionary Guard.

CENTCOM previously stated that more than 95% of ships passed safely in recent months, despite what it described as the Guard's "unjustified aggression." More than 3,000 commercial vessels also successfully transited with US support in the past six months.

In the context of the strong naval blockade implemented by the United States, Cooper confirmed that measures prevented Iran from exporting almost any oil through the strait, imposing severe economic pressure on Tehran. He said commitment to protecting freedom of navigation in Hormuz is steadfast, with daily operations continuing to intercept threats and secure ships.

These operations are supported by approximately 50,000 US military personnel deployed across the Middle East, carrying out blockade missions, navigation protection, and threat response.

Cooper affirmed that US forces remain present and vigilant in the strait and surrounding waters, denying any Iranian claims of withdrawal, stressing that "control is clearly with the United States and its partners, not Iran."