U.S. Central Command Comments on Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz
According to U.S. Central Command Spokesperson Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, the majority of Iran’s attempts to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz have failed, and the vital waterway remains accessible for transit. Hawkins made these remarks following an incident in which the GFS Pride, a container ship registered in Singapore and owned by Cyprus, was struck by an Iranian projectile while in the Strait, ultimately leading to its sinking as it was being towed due to onboard fire.
Hawkins stated, “The vast majority of Iran’s attempts to target civilian mariners in this international waterway are unsuccessful.” He further emphasized that U.S. military efforts have provided coordinated protection for thousands of vessels, noting that approximately 97% of ships navigating through the Strait have done so without being targeted by Iranian fire.
He added, “Let’s be clear. What the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is doing is not justifiable, and, importantly, it hasn’t worked. They are not achieving their goal of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. It remains open for transit, and we have witnessed continued shipping activity just today.”
In a recent update, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper remarked on the uptick in attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps against merchant ships, counting the loss of over 20 civilian mariners due to these assaults since February.
Cooper highlighted that in just the past week, about 400 merchant vessels successfully passed through the Strait, and U.S. forces had assisted Gulf allies in transporting over 100 million barrels of crude oil, adding to a total of more than 1.3 billion barrels over recent months.
Hawkins expressed pride in U.S. service members in the Middle East, stating, “They are doing remarkable work managing two important objectives regarding Iran.” He explained that while U.S. forces support the flow of commercial shipping through the Strait, they are also enforcing a blockade against Iran, with no imports or exports occurring without U.S. authorization, save for humanitarian efforts.
He concluded by underscoring the professionalism and dedication of U.S. troops, managing this complex dual mission effectively. There are currently over 50,000 U.S. service members stationed throughout the Middle East, highlighting their commitment to regional security.
Hawkins acknowledged the vigilance and courage of American forces, noting their collaboration with regional allies to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression. He affirmed the ongoing success of their joint efforts.
