US Reports Increased Commercial Ship Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz

The United States Central Command reported on Saturday that commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased today while US forces continue their operations in the area to support freedom of navigation.

In a statement posted on the platform "X," the command detailed that safe passage through the international waterway persisted today, with 55 commercial vessels crossing the strait. These ships transported large quantities of goods and over 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.

The US forces affirmed their ongoing presence in the region and said they are closely monitoring the situation to ensure full compliance with all aspects of the agreement with Iran, implementing it completely and effectively.

This week, the Joint Maritime Information Center issued a guidance note reaffirming the continuation of safe passage for all ships along a designated route free from any arbitrary demands or restrictions that could hinder movement.

Earlier on the same day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to ship traffic on Saturday. This action was described as a response to what Iran termed "continuous violations" by the United States and Israel of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.

The Iranian news agency Mehr quoted Iran’s Supreme Joint Military Command as stating that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to maritime navigation. The decision was presented as a reaction to "ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, in addition to breaches of trust and violations of commitments by the United States concerning the first article of the memorandum of understanding."