Despite recent incidents, including a projectile hitting the GFS Pride container ship, the “vast majority” of Iran’s attempted attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are unsuccessful, with the waterway remaining open for transit, according to U.S. Central Command Spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins. Hawkins stated that approximately 97% of ships attempting to transit the Strait have done so safely, attributing this success to coordinated protection provided by the U.S. military for thousands of vessels. He emphasized that Iran’s actions, aimed at closing the Strait, are unjustified and failing to achieve their objective. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper highlighted that over 20 civilian mariners have been killed by Iran’s attacks since February, yet in the past seven days alone, around 400 merchant ships have successfully navigated the Strait, with U.S. forces facilitating the shipment of over 100 million barrels of crude oil during the same period. Hawkins praised U.S. service members for simultaneously maintaining flow through the Strait and enforcing a blockade against Iran, allowing only humanitarian ships with permission. He also noted the ongoing collaboration with Gulf allies to defend regional airspace against Iranian aggression, underscoring the vigilance and bravery of the more than 50,000 U.S. service members stationed across the Middle East.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
