Over 1,000 Ships Escorted as US Says Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route Remains Open
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The United States has said the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping, with the US military assisting more than 1,000 vessels in safely transiting the strategic waterway over the past three months despite heightened regional tensions.
In a post on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said commercial vessels continue to use the international shipping lane and that US forces have been supporting safe navigation amid what it described as continued Iranian aggression.
Over 1,000 Ships Assisted
According to CENTCOM, US forces have helped more than 1,000 commercial vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the last three months, and the operations are continuing.
The command also said US naval forces remain deployed in the region to safeguard freedom of navigation through one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.
Earlier, CENTCOM stated that US forces had redirected 45 commercial vessels, disabled two vessels, and boarded two others as part of maritime operations to ensure compliance with the US blockade against Iran.
US-Iran Talks Underway
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is holding talks with Iran and expressed hope that an agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached within days.
Speaking to CNBC, Bessent said discussions were aimed at restoring freedom of navigation, adding that the US was not considering allowing Iran to levy tolls on ships passing through the waterway.
He said reopening the route would allow hundreds of stranded vessels to resume operations, helping ease pressure on global shipping and reduce prices of commodities, including energy products, fertilisers and industrial gases.
Strait of Hormuz Key to Global Trade
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said reopening the waterway remains Washington's immediate priority, while its long-term objective continues to be preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
