U.S. Central Command said the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping despite claims from Iran that the waterway is closed [1, 2].
The dispute centers on one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Because the strait links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, any disruption to the flow of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments could trigger severe international economic instability.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on July 12, 2026, that it has closed the strait [2]. Iranian officials said the closure will remain in effect until the end of U.S. interference [2]. This declaration follows an escalation in hostilities, including an exchange of strikes reported on July 11, 2026 [3].
CENTCOM rejected Iran's authority over the waterway and said the passage remains viable for international trade [1]. According to the command, the U.S. has facilitated the transit of 800 commercial vessels since May 2026 [1].
U.S. officials said Iran must affirm the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to avoid further escalation [5]. The tension comes amid a rise in missile and drone attacks in the region, which has increased the risk of accidental or intentional maritime collisions.
The narrow waterway between Oman and Iran serves as the primary exit for energy exports from several Gulf nations [2, 3]. While Iran continues to expand its attacks and maintain its stance on the closure, the U.S. continues to provide security for commercial traffic to ensure global energy markets are not disrupted [4, 5].
“CENTCOM says the Strait of Hormuz remains open for shipping despite Iran’s claim that it has closed the waterway.”
The contradiction between CENTCOM and the IRGC highlights a dangerous gap in communication during a period of active military strikes. If Iran attempts to physically enforce a closure of the strait, it would likely lead to a direct naval confrontation with the U.S. and its allies, potentially causing a spike in global energy prices due to the volume of oil and LNG that relies on this specific corridor.
