Key facts
- US forces announced the clearing of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell below its 10-day average on Thursday.
- Only five commodity vessels transited the Strait on Thursday.
- Iran's IRGC navy asserted 'decisive control' over the strategic waterway.
- The IRGC stated the Strait of Hormuz is closed to ships transiting without Iranian coordination.
- US Central Command stated that 82 commercial vessels were redirected, three disabled, and two boarded to enforce the naval blockade of Iran.
US forces announced Thursday that they had cleared sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to keep international shipping lanes open. However, shipping traffic through the vital waterway remained subdued, falling below its 10-day average with only seven vessels transiting on Thursday, including five commodity vessels. In a new development, US Central Command stated that 82 commercial vessels were redirected, three disabled, and two boarded to ensure compliance with its naval blockade of Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy rejected US claims, stating that US officials are lying to cover up failures and that their control over the waterway is 'decisive'. The IRGC added that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all ships intending to transit without coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran.