Most Iranian Attacks on Strait of Hormuz Fail, CENTCOM Says

The Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping, and the “vast majority” of Iran’s attempted attacks on vessels using the strategic waterway have failed, U.S. Central Command spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told News Media this week.

Hawkins spoke after CENTCOM reported that the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged container ship owned by a Cyprus-based company, was struck by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The vessel later sank while being towed to shore after a fire broke out on board.

“The vast majority” of Iran’s attempted attacks on civilian mariners traveling through the international waterway have been unsuccessful, Hawkins said. He added that the U.S. military has helped coordinate protection for thousands of ships, with approximately 97% of vessels seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz completing the journey without being hit by an Iranian projectile.

Hawkins said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ attacks are both unjustified and ineffective because they have not achieved the goal of closing the Strait of Hormuz. “It is open, it is available for transit,” he said, adding that vessels continued to pass through the waterway that day.

In a Friday update, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the IRGC had repeatedly attacked merchant ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days and months, killing civilian mariners in numerous incidents.

Cooper cited the International Maritime Organization’s report that more than 20 civilian mariners have been killed in Iranian attacks on commercial shipping since February.

Despite the attacks, approximately 400 merchant ships passed through the Strait over the previous seven days, Cooper said. During that same period, U.S. forces helped Gulf partners transport more than 100 million barrels of crude oil. In recent months, the assistance has supported the shipment of more than 1.3 billion barrels through the waterway, he added.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Ava Baroni's Disappearance: The Mystery Surrounding Diddy's Adopted Daughter. – NewsFinale

Hawkins also said every American should be proud of the service members operating across the Middle East, particularly those carrying out two missions simultaneously in response to Iran.

One mission is helping preserve commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz despite what Hawkins called Iran’s unjustified aggression. He said thousands of ships have used the waterway in recent months, carrying more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil.

At the same time, U.S. forces are maintaining what Hawkins described as a “steel wall blockade” around Iran. He said no exports or imports have entered or left Iran without U.S. permission, aside from humanitarian ships authorized to pass. According to Hawkins, carrying out both efforts at once demonstrates the precision, dedication and professionalism of U.S. troops.

More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently deployed across the Middle East, Hawkins said.

Hawkins said the troops remain highly vigilant and committed, serving with courage alongside regional allies and partners. He added that the United States continues to work with Gulf allies to defend their airspace against what he called Iran’s unjustified and unwarranted attacks, saying the joint effort has been highly successful and will continue.