U.S. Military Rejects Iranian Claim of Strait Closure
The U.S. military has officially asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, directly contradicting claims by the Iranian military that the vital waterway has been shut down. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on X that “traffic is flowing” and affirmed that the strait is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway.
President Donald Trump echoed this assessment during interviews on Sunday, declaring the strait “open as far as we’re concerned.” The president’s comments followed a series of military engagements, during which he stated that the U.S. had struck 140 military targets, including drone and missile sites, in response to Iranian actions.
Escalation of Hostilities and Vessel Attacks
The maritime standoff intensified after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck a Cyprus-flagged container ship with a drone in the strait. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre, the vessel was traveling along a southern route near the Omani coast when it was disabled, forcing the crew to abandon ship. While local authorities rescued the crew, the Indian government reported that one of its nationals remains missing. The IRGC announced the closure of the strait on Sunday, stating it would remain shut until the “end of US interference.” In addition to the ship strike, Iran claimed to have carried out ballistic missile attacks against U.S. airbases in neighboring countries, including a strike on the Al Udeid base in Qatar.
For more on this story, see Iran Announces Closure of Hormuz Strait.
Regional Impact and Diplomatic Strain
The ongoing conflict has placed significant pressure on regional stability. Oman, which typically serves as a mediator, took the extraordinary step of summoning the Iranian ambassador to protest drone attacks that struck Omani territory. Simultaneously, Qatar’s Ministry of Transport issued a warning urging all maritime users—including fishing and recreational boats—to suspend activities until further notice, citing concerns for public safety.
The current hostilities represent a collapse of a June memorandum of understanding (MoU) intended to restore maritime traffic and provide a framework for broader peace talks. Senior U.S. officials indicated that the recent attacks were attributed by some Iranian sources to an “errant” sect of hardliners attempting to undermine negotiations. However, the Trump administration has maintained that the U.S. will utilize military and economic leverage if hostile acts persist.
This follows our earlier report, Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Following Israeli Strikes.
Stakes for Global Markets
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy, with a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas historically moving through the passage. The uncertainty has left investors closely monitoring the situation as trading for the week begins. CENTCOM | Confirms the strait is open and traffic is flowing. |
| Iran (IRGC) | Declared the strait closed to all vessels. |
| Joint Maritime Information Center | Reports the southern route remains open but warns of a “severe” threat level. |
| Qatar Ministry of Transport | Urged suspension of all maritime activities for safety. |
President Trump noted that prior to the latest drone attack on the container ship, the U.S. and Iran had been engaged in discussions, claiming they were near a “perfect deal.” Despite the current tensions, the administration has directed its negotiation team—led by Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—to continue pursuing dialogue. Officials emphasized that the U.S. remains in a “wait-and-see” period, noting that if Iran cannot honor the basic requirement of keeping the strait open to trade, broader issues such as nuclear program negotiations will remain unreachable.
Read also: U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran Following Trump’s Warning.
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