CENTCOM Commander Visits Strait of Hormuz: Helped Export 1.5 Billion Barrels of Oil

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, visited the Strait of Hormuz, noting that its forces have helped export more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil through the strait since summer.

The command added in a statement that Cooper flew over the international waterway aboard a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assess the current operational environment.

It stated that more than 3,000 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz "successfully," with support from US forces, during the past six months.

The CENTCOM statement quoted Cooper as saying: "We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping sector," adding that the visit underscores Washington's commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation through the strait.

The command noted that more than 95% of ships that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months "transited safely," despite what it described as "unprovoked attacks" by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

It considered that "this percentage demonstrates that the United States and its regional partners control the international waterway."

Navy Mine Clearance
The Central Command indicated that US forces removed naval mines during the past months, which it said were planted by "Iran's Revolutionary Guard in international shipping lanes within the strait."

It added that Cooper met during the visit with US military personnel who participated in the mine-clearing mission, thanking them for their efforts and continued dedication.

Cooper said that main transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz "remain free of Iranian naval mines," affirming his commitment to "continue working to keep commercial ship traffic flowing, in cooperation with US government agencies, Gulf Cooperation Council states, and the shipping sector."

Iran: The Strait Is Not Safe
In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the Strait of Hormuz is "not safe," denying that his country was responsible for this situation.

Baghaei accused the United States and Israel, in an interview with German network ARD, of exploiting the waterway and region to continue what he described as "military aggression and unlawful behavior against Iran."

He added that Tehran will take necessary measures to protect its territorial integrity, national security, and people as long as this situation persists.