US Central Command Says Iran Does Not Control Strait of Hormuz, Is Ready to Defend International Waterway

U.S. Central Command rejected Iran's claim that it controls the Strait of Hormuz and said it is prepared to ensure free navigation for international shipping.

In a post on its official X account on July 12, Central Command said the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy recently told a state media outlet that "foreign vessels cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz without identification, tracking and monitoring by Iranian forces."

Central Command pushed back, saying Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and that the strait remains an international waterway.

It added that U.S. forces are deployed to ensure the strait remains an international waterway and are ready to defend that status.