Hormuz Open, Traffic Moving, CENTCOM Says After Iran Closure

U.S. Central Command said Sunday the Strait of Hormuz is open to lawful shipping after Iran said the waterway was closed until further notice.

Traffic is moving, and U.S. forces are poised to maintain freedom of navigation, CENTCOM said. A graphic accompanying the statement said more than 140 ships have transited the strait over the past week.

Iran does not control the strait. — U.S. Central Command

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy said Sunday it had closed the strait after striking and stopping an unidentified vessel it accused of using an unauthorized route, Reuters reported. The closure would hold until U.S. interference in the region ended, Iran said.

The standoff follows a third round of U.S. strikes this week. CENTCOM said Saturday the strikes came after what it called a Revolutionary Guard attack on the Cyprus-flagged M/V GFS Galaxy that left one civilian crew member missing and the ship, with fire and engine room damage, unable to continue.

U.S. officials had demanded Iran halt ship attacks and keep transit lanes open without tolls, according to earlier statements. Iranian and Omani officials have discussed mechanisms for safe passage through the strait, Reuters reported.

This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.