US Central Command’s False Claims on Strait of Hormuz Oil Transit Contradicted

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper has issued demonstrably false statements concerning the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. These assertions, aimed at influencing American public opinion amidst widespread anger over the economic repercussions of President Trump’s costly actions against Iran, claim that CENTCOM supported the transfer of over one billion barrels of oil from the Persian Gulf region in the past two months.

The CENTCOM commander, facing the imminent electoral defeat of his Republican party in the upcoming midterm congressional elections, seemingly attempted to rationalize his government’s failures, despite tens of billions of dollars spent on actions against Tehran. He stated that through coordinated protective measures, the safe passage of over two thousand commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was facilitated. He further alleged that the volume of oil and gas transported via the Strait of Hormuz in the past two weeks reached its highest point in the last six months.

Despite the clear failure of the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran during the first term of Donald Trump’s presidency, Cooper falsely asserted that Iran has exported not a single barrel of oil due to severe U.S. sanctions. He claimed that the main transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz are mine-free and that thousands of ships have passed through it. He also stated that CENTCOM is cooperating with its regional partners to enhance their air defense capabilities.

Brad Cooper’s unfounded claims are particularly notable given recent statements by the French President. The French leader acknowledged the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting the Trump administration’s narrative, and called for a diplomatic solution to reopen it.