WASHINGTON, October 2026 : US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, stating that the waterway’s primary international shipping routes remain free of Iranian sea mines amid continued efforts to ensure safe maritime navigation and protect global energy supplies.
According to a CENTCOM statement, Cooper flew over the strategic waterway in a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assess the operational environment and review ongoing maritime security efforts.
The visit came as US forces reached a milestone in supporting Gulf partners in exporting more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since summer, the command said.
“More than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz with support from CENTCOM forces over the last six months,” the statement added.
Cooper said the United States remained committed to working with Gulf partners and the international shipping industry to maintain freedom of navigation through the strategically important passage.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical route for global oil shipments. Any disruption to commercial traffic through the waterway can have significant implications for international energy markets and maritime trade.
US Forces Continue Mine-Clearance Operations
During his visit, Cooper met US military personnel involved in clearing sea mines from international shipping lanes and thanked them for their efforts, CENTCOM said.
The command stated that US forces had successfully cleared the international shipping routes of sea mines allegedly laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Today, primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines thanks to incredible efforts by our people,” Cooper said.
He added that US forces would continue working with government agencies, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners and the shipping industry to keep commercial maritime traffic moving safely.
CENTCOM also said that more than 95 per cent of ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz in recent months had transited safely despite what it described as unwarranted aggression by the IRGC.
The command cited the figures as evidence of continued US and regional efforts to maintain security in the international waterway.
The visit underscores Washington’s focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation and uninterrupted energy transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil supplies.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
