Southern Hormuz Corridor Open Despite Iran Closure, CENTCOM Says

The southern passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains open. The Joint Maritime Information Center confirmed on July 12 that the corridor along the Omani coastline was still available for transit despite Iran declaring the strait closed the day before.

CENTCOM put out a statement. "The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway," it read. "U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations." Traffic is flowing, the command said.

More than 140 vessels transited the area in the past seven days, according to CENTCOM. JMIC rated the threat level severe. The group advised mariners to expect radio contact with naval forces and to watch for mines.

Overnight on July 11-12, U.S. aircraft, drones, and warships struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets with precision munitions. It was the third night of U.S. operations in the region.