CENTCOM says Iran does not control Hormuz after IRGC announced closure of the strait again

CENTCOM said Iran does not control Hormuz after the IRGC announced another closure attempt of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. Iran reiterated on Saturday that it was closing the waterway, linking the move to continued Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and claiming the U.S. failed to restrain them under a recently signed memorandum of understanding. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps naval command said the closure was a “first step” and warned that vessels defying the directive would be targeted, while stating that earlier conditions—including lifting a naval blockade and U.S. troop withdrawal—must be met. The announcement came three days after the strait reopened under the U.S.-Iran MOU. CENTCOM rejected Tehran’s claim, stating traffic remained uninterrupted with 55 merchant ships transiting on Saturday alone, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. CENTCOM said no Iranian military movements indicating an enforced closure were observed.