CENTCOM: The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, and Iran has no authority to dictate shipping routes
Washington, July 29 (Hibya) - The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) responded to statements by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the strait is an international waterway and that the free flow of maritime traffic continues.
CENTCOM issued a statement responding to the IRGC's claims regarding maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on its social media account, CENTCOM referred to allegations that the IRGC had threatened commercial vessels and civilian mariners and attempted to attack them, arguing that Iran's assertion that international ships must use only routes designated by Iran does not reflect reality.
The statement said, "The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. The IRGC has no authority to dictate routes for free and open maritime traffic."
CENTCOM added that commercial vessels continue to transit the strait with U.S. military support, noting that since early May it has helped ensure the safe passage of approximately 1,000 ships and 500 million barrels of crude oil through the narrow waterway.
Usa News Agency