Iran has rejected U.S. claims that the Strait of Hormuz is open to normal commercial traffic, saying Tehran still has the ability to restrict shipping through the strategic waterway.
An Iranian parliamentary official described Washington’s claims as false and said Iran retains effective control over access through the strait.
The comments come after U.S. Central Command said commercial traffic continues to move through the waterway and that American forces are working to keep the main shipping lanes open.
The United States says it has helped facilitate the movement of large volumes of crude oil through the strait while enforcing a separate maritime blockade on traffic linked to Iranian ports.
Iran, meanwhile, has continued to insist that its restrictions remain in place and has required some vessels to follow routes approved by Tehran.
The disagreement comes as shipping through Hormuz remains far below normal levels. Preliminary data reported on September 22 showed only two vessels passing through the strait on Monday, compared with roughly 125 large commercial vessels a day before the conflict.
The competing claims highlight the uncertainty surrounding one of the world’s most important energy routes.
Meanwhile, Iran has signaled that it could reopen the strait within a week if Washington reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade, adding a diplomatic dimension to the dispute.
