Primary international shipping channels in the Strait of Hormuz remain open and free of Iranian sea mines, allowing normal commercial maritime traffic to continue uninterrupted. The head of U.S. Central Command confirmed these conditions after personally conducting an aerial flight over the passage earlier this week. However, Tehran continues to argue it exercises authority over the passage, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming it intercepted two commercial tankers.
Key points
U.S. military assessments indicate that vital international shipping passages remain free…: U.S. military assessments indicate that vital international shipping passages remain free of Iranian sea mines.
Tehran continues to assert maritime authority over the Strait of Hormuz despite contrary…: Tehran continues to assert maritime authority over the Strait of Hormuz despite contrary reports from American officials.
Iranian forces alleged that intercepted vessels were operating along unauthorized routes…: Iranian forces alleged that intercepted vessels were operating along unauthorized routes with support from the U.S. military.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The head of US Central Command (Centcom), Admiral Brad Cooper, has claimed that the main international shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are clear of Iranian sea mines and that commercial vessels are sailing freely through the strategic waterway.
In a video posted on Cencom's X account, Cooper said he flew over the strait earlier this week and saw dozens of commercial vessels transiting the area.
“Here’s what I didn’t see – I didn’t see the IRGC out there at all,” he said, claiming Iran’s navy was “all at the bottom of the sea”. H
The remarks come as Iran has repeatedly claimed that it maintains control over the strait.
Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had stopped two tankers attempting to cross the southern part of the waterway, accusing them of using “unauthorised routes” with US military support.
Mary Peltola is pushing back against Republican accusations that her allies tried to recruit a retired teacher with the same name as incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan to confuse voters. The escalating dispute has triggered state and federal inquiries, including Department of Justice subpoenas issued to Democratic officials. With Senate control hanging in the balance, the controversy has sparked legal action aimed at potentially halting the certification of election results.
Speaking in Juneau, Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola maintained that she had no interest in tricking voters following allegations that her campaign recruited Dan J. Sullivan Jr. to siphon votes from the incumbent Republican. Federal and state authorities have rapidly widened their probes into the matter, which could disrupt certification in a contest vital to determining control of the chamber.
Imad Salem Zahra has shared his personal account of being targeted by Israeli forces during an interview with Al Jazeera. His recovery follows a wave of international attention prompted by circulating images of his injuries. The incident highlights the severe risks faced by youths living amid ongoing military actions in the region.