The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected Iran's claims that it controls the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement on X, CENTCOM stressed that Hormuz is an international waterway and is not controlled by Tehran. The US military also rejected the claim that ships can only pass through corridors approved by Iran. According to CENTCOM, since the beginning of May, more than 800 commercial ships have been safely escorted and about 380 million barrels of oil have been transported through this strategic route.
The reaction comes after Iran threatened to impose tariffs on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal has been opposed by most countries.
About 20% of the world's oil and gas supply passes through Hormuz. For this reason, the strait remains one of the hottest points of tension between the US and Iran. After the launch of the US-Israeli attacks on February 28, Iran almost completely blocked maritime traffic in this strategic corridor.
