World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
US says it has helped more than 3,000 ships through Strait of Hormuz
The US military says it has helped move more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since summer.
The waterway, between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, is a major route for energy shipments.
Iran has kept the strait under a de facto blockade, while the US says it has removed Iranian mines and kept key shipping lanes secure.
The US Central Command says more than 3,000 commercial ships have passed through in the past six months.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says four tankers were damaged and accuses them of trying to use routes it had not approved.
Protecting ships is putting growing strain on US forces, which are carrying out near-daily missions with aircraft and naval vessels.
Efforts to form an international coalition have not succeeded, and some US officials say more international support may be needed to keep the strait safe.
US Central Command says more than 3,000 commercial ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past six months with US support.
US commander Gen. Cooper said the military has helped transport more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the strait since summer.
The US says it is clearing mines and keeping major shipping lanes safe, while reporting says the prolonged mission is putting a heavy strain on US forces.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says four tankers were damaged in the strait and accused them of trying to use routes Iran had not approved.
- Who
- US Central Command and US forces are supporting commercial shipping. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has made claims about damaged tankers.
- What
- The US says it has helped more than 3,000 commercial ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz and supported the transport of more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil.
- When
- Over the past six months, and since summer, as of October 30, 2026.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The US says it is helping keep major shipping lanes free and safe amid Iran’s effective blockade.
US Central Command
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Shipping safety
US Central Command
The US says it is clearing Iranian mines and maintaining a vigilant posture to keep major shipping lanes free and safe.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
The Revolutionary Guard says four tankers were damaged in the strait and accused them of trying to use routes Iran had not approved.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran, including air strikes on Tehran.
Iranian state media reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had died.
The US says it has supported the transport of more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gen. Cooper made the statement, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed four tankers had been damaged in the strait.
- Commercial ships
- More than 3,000 passed through the strait over the past six months
- Oil transport
- More than 1.5 billion barrels supported since summer
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iranian claim
- Four tankers were damaged
- Statement date
- October 30, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
maintaining a vigilant posture to ensure the major shipping lanes remain free and safe