CENTCOM chief flies over Strait of Hormuz during Middle East visit, affirms waterway clear of mines
"We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry," he said.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Adm. Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as part of the US effort to allow shipment movement and crude oil exports through the contentious waterway.
Cooper observed the ongoing operations while flying in a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter over the strait.
"We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," said Cooper during the visit. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
Cooper affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is "free and clear of Iranian sea mines," thanking the US service members who supported and took part in the mission.
"We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry," he said.
US clears mines from Hormuz, Trump accuses Iran of 'fabrications'
In August, US President Donald Trump said the US Navy told him all mines had been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump added that "Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed."
A US official confirmed the matter to the The Jerusalem Post at the time, noting that both inbound and outbound shipping lanes in the strait have been cleared of mines by CENTCOM.
On Thursday, however, Trump accused Iran of fabricating recent reports of attacks on oil tankers and naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to drive up oil prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
“Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the US Midterm Election,” Trump wrote.
“They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else, because more Oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the Conflict."
James Genn, Amichai Stein, and Goldie Katz contributed to this report.
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