General ad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, October 25. During his visit, he emphasized the strong commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
"We continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners in the Persian Gulf and the shipping industry," Cooper said in a statement. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to the continued freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM also announced, "Today, the main transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain clear of Iranian naval mines and are open for transit, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our forces." Over the past six months, more than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the strait with support from CENTCOM forces.
CENTCOM further stated that over 95% of vessels transiting the strait in recent months did so safely, which "clearly demonstrates that the U.S. and its regional partners have control of this international waterway."
During his trip, General Cooper flew over the international waterway in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assess current operational conditions. He also met with U.S. military personnel who participated in the mine-clearing mission, thanking them for their commitment and sustained efforts.
In recent months, U.S. forces have successfully cleared naval mines laid by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps from international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. These efforts have allowed maritime activity to continue at an accelerated pace.
Source: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
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