CENTCOM reports successful escort of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's foreign minister condemns ongoing military aggression.
Key facts
- •CENTCOM reports that more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil have transited the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. protection.
- •Adm. Brad Cooper stated that U.S. forces have assisted over 2,000 commercial vessel transits.
- •Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week.
- •Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for safe passage for commercial ships to protect global supply chains.
- •The U.S. claims that Iran has exported zero barrels of oil due to the current blockade.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday that more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil have transited the Strait of Hormuz in recent months under a U.S. military blockade. Adm. Brad Cooper stated that U.S. forces have assisted over 2,000 commercial vessel transits by providing coordinated protection and clearing mines from primary transit lanes. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. and Israel for what he described as a pattern of unpunished aggression and illegal military intervention.
By the numbers
U.S. Operations in the Strait
Adm. Cooper reported that the volume of crude oil, cargo, and liquefied natural gas moving through the waterway over the past two weeks reached its highest level in six months. While the U.S. facilitates these shipments, Cooper noted that Iran has exported zero barrels of oil, which he attributed to the U.S.-led blockade. The U.S. is currently coordinating with Gulf Cooperation Council nations, insurers, and shipping companies to further increase traffic through the route.
Diplomatic Tensions and Regional Concerns
In taped remarks for the 2026 Global Town Hall, Foreign Minister Araghchi argued that military force has become a permanent mechanism for reshaping the region rather than a last resort. He characterized the ongoing conflict with the U.S. as unjust and a violation of Iranian sovereignty. Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with Araghchi on Saturday to discuss the necessity of uninterrupted energy supplies and safe passage for commercial ships, emphasizing the potential impact of disruptions on global supply chains.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by CBS News World, Anadolu Agency Middle East.
