CENTCOM chief visits Strait of Hormuz, declares routes clear of Iranian mines
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US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, flying over the strategic waterway in a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter, according to an official statement.
The visit came as US forces marked a significant milestone in assisting Gulf partners with the export of more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since the summer, according to a CENTCOM statement.
More than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz with support from CENTCOM forces over the past six months.
https://t.co/nkXeQtMfrY
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 25, 2026
Cooper stated: “We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry. This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The trip followed US military efforts to clear international shipping lanes of sea mines that CENTCOM said had been laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
During the visit, Cooper met with US service members who supported the mine-clearance mission and thanked them for their dedication.
“Today, primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines thanks to incredible efforts by our people,” he said.
Cooper added that forces remain focused on sustaining commercial traffic: “We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the U.S. interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry.”
CENTCOM reported that in recent months, over 95% of ships navigating the strait have sailed through safely despite what it described as the IRGC’s unwarranted aggression.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy chokepoint, and the US has maintained a naval presence and related operations in the area amid prolonged tensions with Iran, including a blockade on Iranian ports that has been strictly enforced.
