U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces had facilitated the passage of more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months, along with more than 2,000 commercial vessels, stressing that efforts were continuing to keep the waterway “open and safe” for commercial shipping.
Cooper added that oil and cargo traffic through the strait over the past two weeks had reached its highest level compared with the previous six months, noting that thousands of vessels continued to use the strategic waterway.
Shipping through the strait
The SENTCOM chief said the main transit routes were free of mines and that the United States was working with its partners to increase shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Restrictions on Iranian oil exports
Regarding Iran, Cooper said the United States continued to impose a strict blockade on its oil exports, stressing that Tehran had been unable to export a single barrel of oil under U.S. measures.
Two ceasefire agreements
The United States and Iran announced ceasefire agreements twice, in April (Nisan) and June (Haziran), to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to end the conflict that had continued for about six months. However, both agreements quickly collapsed.
The United States reinstated its blockade of Iranian ports and imposed restrictions on the movement of its vessels on 13 July (Tammuz), after an agreement to end the war between the two countries collapsed, in an effort to deprive Tehran of oil revenues, which represent the country's main source of foreign currency.
Strengthening air defenses
Cooper said the United States was working with its regional allies to strengthen their air defenses, in addition to forming a new joint unit to counter attack drones.
