Mines and Oil: Washington Reveals Latest Results of Iran's Maritime Blockade and Navigation in Hormuz

Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated today Friday that 50,000 troops are enforcing a naval blockade on Iran while maintaining navigation flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper appeared in a video message posted by CENTCOM’s official account on the platform X, delivering an operational update on two ongoing missions in the Middle East.

He said: "Our large number of U.S. forces—amounting to 50,000 personnel deployed across the region—are performing exceptionally in executing the maritime blockade on Iran, while simultaneously ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."

He added: "As recently announced, the U.S. military has achieved a significant milestone in the Strait of Hormuz; we successfully cleared sea mines from international navigation channels in the strait, mines previously laid by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard several months ago."

Cooper noted that "thanks to the outstanding efforts of the U.S. military, internationally recognized transit routes in the strait are now free of Iranian sea mines."

He presented a maritime map of the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding seas, stating that this map is frequently used by mariners worldwide and clearly illustrates the internationally recognized "traffic separation system."

He explained that "international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz separate vessel traffic in opposite directions to ensure safety," emphasizing that "no ships have entered or exited any Iranian port without our authorization."

He pointed out that "this system functions as a dedicated maritime highway at sea; the map shows a dividing line between opposing traffic lanes, ensuring ships maintain a safe distance from one another while traversing this narrow waterway."

Cooper continued: "These are the routes historically used by global shipping to cross the Strait of Hormuz, and over the past few months, our forces have meticulously and calmly cleared them of sea mine threats, using a combination of Navy divers, Naval Special Warfare units (Navy SEALs), and U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps aviation capabilities."

He added: "Conditions were difficult and dangerous—at minimum—but we completed the mission. In short: international shipping lanes are open today, and momentum is growing."

According to Cooper, over the past few months, U.S. forces have assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels in crossing the strait by providing coordinated protection. These ships carried approximately 750 million barrels of crude oil bound for global energy markets—a massive volume.

While U.S. forces supported the exit of 750 million barrels of crude oil from the Gulf, Iran has exported no oil from its shores since the naval blockade was reinstated in mid-July, according to Cooper.

He concluded: "We have achieved high effectiveness; no ship has entered or left an Iranian port without our permission, and we only allowed passage for humanitarian reasons—credit to the dedication and professionalism of our sailors, Marines, and Air Force personnel in carrying out this complex mission."

Cooper noted that "since the blockade resumed, thousands of U.S. military personnel—operating more than 20 warships and hundreds of aircraft—have continued achieving success, redirecting around 75 vessels attempting to breach the blockade and disabling three ships that failed to comply with orders."