Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), announced that no oil has been exported from Iranian shores since the resumption of the U.S. naval blockade against the Islamic Republic. He further stated that no vessels have entered or departed Iranian ports without authorization from U.S. forces, with passage granted strictly to ships operating for humanitarian purposes.
In a video message, Cooper stated that U.S. forces have cleared international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz of naval mines. According to Cooper, the operation was conducted with the participation of Navy divers, Navy SEALs, and aircraft from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. CENTCOM has now declared the international shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz free of naval mines.
The CENTCOM commander noted that, over recent months, U.S. forces have facilitated the passage of nearly 1,500 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, these ships have collectively transported nearly 750 million barrels of crude oil to global markets.
Cooper also reported that more than 20 warships and hundreds of U.S. aircraft have been involved in operations surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and in enforcing the blockade. He stated that U.S. forces turned back approximately 75 vessels attempting to evade the blockade and disabled three others after they ignored orders.
