CENTCOM Commander Surveys Strait of Hormuz by Helicopter, Says Waterway Is Clear of Iranian Mines

The head of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as part of American efforts to keep ships moving and crude oil exports flowing through the disputed waterway.

Cooper watched ongoing operations from a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter as it flew over the strait. During the visit he said the United States remains committed to the region's partners and to the shipping industry.

"We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," Cooper said. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."

The admiral stated that the strait is "free and clear of Iranian sea mines." He thanked the US service members who supported and took part in the mission. He added that CENTCOM is "intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing" and is working with the US interagency, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the shipping industry toward that goal.

The claim echoes statements made earlier this year. In August, President Donald Trump said the US Navy had told him all mines had been removed from the strait. He warned that "Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed." A US official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post at the time that CENTCOM had cleared both the inbound and outbound shipping lanes of mines.

The president returned to the subject on Thursday, when he accused Iran of fabricating recent reports of attacks on oil tankers and of naval mines in the strait. In his view, the aim is to push up oil prices ahead of the November midterm elections.

"Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the US Midterm Election," Trump wrote. He went on to say that Iran is "even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else," arguing that more oil is moving through the strait now than before the conflict began.

Cooper's visit comes as Washington presents the waterway as open and secure, while claims about attacks and mines continue to circulate.