Strait of Hormuz Open: 97% of Ships Safe Despite Iranian Strikes, Says US
US Central Command asserts the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe despite Iranian strikes and the sinking of the GFS Pride.
The US military has asserted that the strategic shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz remain open and functional, claiming that 97 per cent of vessels attempting to transit the waterway have done so safely without being struck by Iranian projectiles. This statement comes amid heightened tensions and reports of attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
Naval Protection Amidst Attacks
Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), informed Fox News Digital that coordinated naval protection efforts have been instrumental in ensuring thousands of commercial ships can navigate the vital maritime corridor. Despite recent hostilities, Hawkins emphasized that the vast majority of Iran's attempts to target innocent civilian mariners in the international waterway have been unsuccessful.
The assurance follows a recent maritime disaster. CENTCOM confirmed that the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged container ship owned by a Cyprus-based entity, was hit by an Iranian projectile on Wednesday. The attack caused a fire on the vessel, which subsequently sank while being towed toward the shore.
"It is open, it is available for transit, and we've seen that transit continue this very day," stated Captain Hawkins, reinforcing that maritime traffic persists despite the risks.
Economic Blows to Iran
Beyond the immediate security of the shipping lanes, US Admiral Brad Cooper has claimed that Washington's strategies are severely impacting Iran's economy. According to Admiral Cooper, Iran is currently facing a financial crisis and is struggling to fund its proxy militias because the US has blocked its sea-based trade.
In a statement shared via X, CENTCOM detailed several "severe blows" delivered to the Islamic regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC):
- Oil Revenue Loss: Iran has reportedly lost USD 25 billion due to affected oil exports.
- Crypto Freeze: Approximately USD 350 million in cryptocurrency has been frozen.
- Sectoral Shortfalls: Iran is experiencing deficits in energy, oil, steel, heavy industry, manufacturing, automotive, aviation, construction, and military sectors.
The Battle for Control
Admiral Cooper highlighted the scale of US-supported operations, noting that 400 ships sailed through the Strait in just seven days. Furthermore, the US has assisted Gulf partners in shipping over 100 million barrels of crude oil in a week, contributing to a total of 1.3 billion barrels helped over recent months.
However, Iran continues to challenge these claims of control. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recently stated that an "illegal supertanker" carrying over two million barrels of crude oil was struck by a sea mine while attempting to pass through what they termed the "unauthorised" Strait of Hormuz. Iran's ISNA agency reported that this incident led to a severe fire and an explosion.
The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran over this strategic route is reflected in data from the UKMTO's weekly review, which indicates that 135 such incidents have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, as both nations continue to assert their dominance over one of the world's most critical shipping arteries.