(Tehran, 21st) On the 20th, Iran announced the "closure" of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States and Israel of violating the ceasefire memorandum of understanding, and warned that further action would be taken if "aggression continues," sparking concerns over the security of the global energy transport route. However, the US military promptly denied the related claims.
According to reports from foreign media, US Central Command spokesperson Hawkins stated: "Iran does not have control over the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime traffic continues to operate, and US military forces are monitoring the situation to ensure the passage remains open."
The US Central Command statement said that on the same day, a total of 55 commercial vessels passed through the strait, transporting large quantities of goods and more than 17 million barrels of crude oil to global markets, describing the passage as "safe and unobstructed."
Earlier, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the blockade of the strait and warned all vessels to avoid entering the relevant waters or face risk. Analysts noted that this move is seen as an attempt to gain leverage in negotiations as the US and Iran are pushing for a temporary ceasefire agreement.