KEPRI POST – United States Central Command (CENTCOM) emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe for commercial vessels to pass through even though Iran announced the closure of this strategic shipping lane.
In a statement released on Saturday (20/6), CENTCOM said that merchant ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was continuing to increase and international shipping activities were continuing normally.
“Safe shipping through these international waterways is maintained to this day with 55 merchant ships passing through, transporting large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to the global market,” said a CENTCOM statement, citing Xinhua news, Monday, June 22 2026.
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The US military also emphasized that it continues to maintain its troop presence in the region to ensure the stability and security of international trade routes.
“US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, adhered to, and are in full effect,” the statement continued.
In line with CENTCOM, United States Vice President JD Vance said Washington had not found any indication that Iran was actually trying to close the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with Fox News on Saturday, Vance said the US government continues to monitor developments in the Gulf region.
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“We don’t see any evidence that Iran is still trying to close the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
This statement comes amidst increasing global attention to the security of shipping lanes which are one of the most important energy export routes in the world.
Iran Announces Closure of Strait of Hormuz
Earlier, the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s main military command, announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a report by Iran’s semi-official news agency, Mehr, the decision was taken on the grounds that the United States was deemed to have violated the recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU). Iran also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
The announcement sparked global market concerns because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital route connecting oil producing countries in the Gulf region with international markets.
However, to date, based on information from CENTCOM and the US government, shipping activities in the area are still continuing normally and there are no indications of an effective closure of commercial ship traffic.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategic shipping lanes in the world. Most oil exports from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran, pass through the narrow waterway before heading to Asian, European and American markets.
Due to its vital role in the global energy supply chain, any threat to the security of the Strait of Hormuz often triggers fluctuations in world oil prices and increases concerns about global economic stability. ***
