The United States military has rejected Iran’s claim that it has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that commercial shipping continues to move through the strategic waterway despite escalating tensions that threaten a fragile peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement on Saturday, U.S. Central Command spokesperson, Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, dismissed suggestions that Iran had effectively shut the critical maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies passes.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” Hawkins said. “Traffic continues to flow, and U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case.”
The sharp exchange comes barely a week after Iran reopened the Strait under a landmark 60-day agreement signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The accord, reached following intense diplomatic engagements that culminated during the G7 Summit in France, was hailed as a major breakthrough in efforts to ease regional tensions and safeguard global energy supplies.
As part of the agreement, the United States eased restrictions on Iranian maritime operations and removed its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran restored access to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
However, the deal has rapidly come under strain following Israel’s military operations in Lebanon over the weekend. Iranian officials argue that the attacks violated the spirit and terms of the ceasefire framework that underpinned the U.S.-Iran agreement, prompting Tehran to announce the reclosure of the Strait and raising fears of a fresh confrontation in the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global commerce, linking the Persian Gulf with international waters and serving as the transit route for nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage has the potential to send energy prices soaring and unsettle financial markets across the globe.
Despite Iran’s declaration, Washington maintains that the waterway remains operational and that international shipping has not been halted. The U.S. military’s assertion appears aimed at reassuring global markets and shipping operators increasingly concerned about the fallout from the deteriorating regional security situation.
The dispute has cast fresh uncertainty over what was widely regarded as one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs between Washington and Tehran in recent years.
Analysts warn that if the disagreement over the Strait deepens, the ceasefire agreement could unravel entirely, reigniting tensions in a region that remains central to global energy security.