U.S. Military Pushes Back on Iran’s Claim: Strait of Hormuz Remains Open

The United States military carried out another large wave of airstrikes across Iran overnight (Sunday), targeting approximately 140 sites in what has been described as the largest round of strikes since the current phase of the conflict began.

According to reports from Iran, the attacks were not limited to the Strait of Hormuz, where much of the confrontation has been centered, but also struck targets far from the strategic waterway. Iranian officials said that one of the areas hit was Khondab County in central Iran, located hundreds of kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, declared that "Iran has taken control of the Strait of Hormuz by force and will maintain that control by force." His remarks reflect Tehran's position that control of the strategic maritime passage remains a central objective in the ongoing confrontation.

The United States rejected those claims, insisting that the shipping lane remains open. In a statement, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said, "U.S. forces remain postured to ensure freedom of navigation despite Iranian aggression, harassment, and threats."

In a separate post on X, CENTCOM added, "Traffic is flowing" through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The Strait of Hormuz remains open to all vessels seeking lawful transit through international waters," the statement said. "U.S. forces are prepared and ready to ensure that freedom of navigation is maintained despite Iran's unjustified aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations. Iran does not control the Strait."

Amid the escalating tensions, The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Iran's leadership now views control of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic asset more valuable than tens of billions of dollars in sanctions relief that could potentially be offered by the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, the Sabereen News Agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian regime, published a list of locations it claimed had been targeted in the latest wave of attacks. The reported targets included Prince Hussein Air Base in Jordan, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Sheikh Port in Kuwait, the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Al Juffair area in Bahrain.

The agency also reported that Iranian drones had been launched against targets in Oman's Musandam Governorate, a region bordering the Strait of Hormuz and the United Arab Emirates that is geographically separated from the rest of Oman.

Following the reported drone strikes, Oman's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Muscat, Mousa Farhang, for a formal protest over attacks targeting sites on Omani territory.