Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said American forces have helped keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic while supporting the movement of more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil from Gulf partners during the past two months.

“Hi, I'm Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, and I want to update you on the Strait of Hormuz and the incredible milestones that America's men and women in uniform continue to achieve,” Cooper said.

Cooper said CENTCOM forces have supported the movement of more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.

“CENTCOM forces have supported more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil leaving the Gulf,” Cooper said.

“That's 1 billion barrels of crude oil out through the Strait of Hormuz in the last couple months.”

The effort has also involved providing coordinated protection for commercial vessels passing through the strategically important waterway.

“We've reached this significant milestone while assisting over 2,000 commercial ship transits through the Strait by providing coordinated protection,” Cooper said.

According to Cooper, the main transit lanes through the Strait are currently clear of mines, allowing thousands of ships to move through the area.

“Clearly, momentum is building,” Cooper said.

“Primary transit lanes in the Strait are clear of mines. Thousands of ships have passed through the Strait.”

He said more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil from Gulf partners have been shipped through the Strait while Iran has been prevented from exporting oil.

“Over 1 billion barrels of crude have been shipped from Gulf partners through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran has exported zero barrels thanks to our ironclad blockade,” Cooper said.

Despite the progress, Cooper said CENTCOM remains focused on maintaining security and increasing traffic through the waterway.

“Even with this progress, we remain clear-eyed and laser-focused as we work with our teammates in the U.S. interagency as well as all six partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council, known as the GCC, as well as insurance and shipping companies, to increase the volume of traffic flow through the Strait of Hormuz,” Cooper said.

Cooper said those efforts have resulted in increased movement of crude oil, commercial cargo and liquid natural gas.

“The effort is paying off,” Cooper said.

“The volume of crude oil, cargo, and liquid natural gas these past two weeks is higher than at any point in the past six months.”

CENTCOM is also working with regional partners on defensive capabilities beyond maritime security.

“We're also working with every partner in the region enhancing their air defense, forming a new coalition attack drone unit, and keeping the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters open and clear,” Cooper said.

Cooper emphasized that much of the work is being carried out by relatively young American service members across a wide range of military specialties.

“The average American doing this important work is in their mid 20s,” Cooper said.

He highlighted the breadth of personnel involved in the mission, from pilots and intelligence analysts to maintainers and culinary specialists.

“They are pilots, maintainers, logisticians, culinary specialists, air defenders, intelligence analysts, and members of every other career field that make up America's military, the greatest force on earth,” Cooper said.

Cooper closed by thanking both American service members and partner forces for their work in keeping traffic moving through the Strait and maintaining security in the surrounding region.

“To all our service members and partners, stay focused and keep up the great work,” Cooper said.

“Thanks so much.”

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