US military claims Strait of Hormuz remains open amid ongoing blockade | US-Israel war on Iran News
US Military Assures Open Shipping in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
September 16, 2026
Despite ongoing Iranian military actions against commercial shipping and an established blockade on Iranian maritime trade, U.S. military officials assert that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping. This vital waterway, crucial for global oil transport, has witnessed the movement of hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
On Wednesday, U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, stated that commercial traffic through the strait “continues to flow” and rejected claims that Iran exerts control over this critical maritime route.
“The strait is open. Those lanes are open. And that is why commercial vessels continue to flow through them,” Hawkins told Al Jazeera English. He emphasized that since early May, U.S. forces have assisted in moving over 900 million barrels of crude oil through the strait to the global energy market.
Hawkins described two concurrent missions undertaken by U.S. forces: facilitating commercial traffic while enforcing an effective blockade. He reported that U.S. operations have redirected more than 100 ships attempting to breach this blockade.
Additionally, Hawkins noted that U.S. forces had recently cleared mines from internationally recognized shipping lanes in the strait, ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels. “We remain vigilant. We remain present and watchful to ensure those lanes stay clear,” he emphasized.
Concern over shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated amid competing narratives between the U.S. and Iran regarding control of the passage.
Hawkins also addressed recent U.S. military operations in the region when questioned about civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Earlier this month, U.S. military strikes targeted facilities associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near Kuhestak, in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province. Local sources report that a wedding ceremony was struck, resulting in several deaths and numerous injuries.
Hawkins asserted that U.S. military operations strictly adhere to the laws of armed conflict and maintain that military sites remain the primary target. “We have never targeted civilians during our operations,” he stated.
Regarding damage to U.S. military facilities from Iranian attacks, Hawkins claimed that operational effectiveness has not been compromised, asserting that American forces have significantly degraded Iran’s missile capabilities and “essentially eliminated Iran’s navy.”
The CENTCOM statement arrives amid heightened tensions surrounding shipping operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
