Iran denies US claims regarding Strait of Hormuz, reaffirms operational control

TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (YPA) – The spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Aboulofazl Shekarchi, has denied claims made by the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, regarding Washington’s role in securing maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper had asserted that the US supported the transit of more than one billion barrels of oil and secured 2,000 commercial vessels through the strategic waterway over the past two months, while alleging that Iran had failed to export any oil through the strait during that period.

General Shekarchi characterized these statements as a “failed psychological operation” aimed at boosting the morale of US forces and justifying Washington’s military expenditure in the region. He emphasized that the claims do not reflect the situation on the ground and will not alter the reality that the Iranian Armed Forces retain the initiative and operational control over the Strait of Hormuz.

YPA