As Tehran declares the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, tensions in the Persian Gulf are reaching a new high. The US military recently (Sunday) rejected Iranian attempts to take control of the strategic shipping lane and clarified that passage through international waters remains open to all vessels seeking to pass through it legally.
US officials emphasized that despite Tehran’s declarations, the reality on the ground remains different – maritime traffic in the lane continues to flow without interruption. The United States refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the Iranian move.
In an official statement published by the US military, it was noted that American forces deployed in the region are prepared and ready to act to ensure that international freedom of navigation is maintained. The Americans defined the Iranian conduct as “unjustified aggression” and clarified that the lane is not under Iranian sovereignty or control.