The Hormuz Strait is open for commercial shipping, asserted US President Donald Trump in an interview with NBC, despite mutual strikes between Iran and the US and Tehran's claims of the strait being closed.
Previously, the US Central Command had announced the navigability of the Hormuz Strait. The military structure stated that American forces are "positioned to ensure" freedom of navigation.
Earlier, the United States and Iran reported mutual strikes. According to the American side, the Iranian military targeted a cargo ship sailing under the Cypriot flag.
After the incident, Tehran announced it was closing the key Hormuz Strait for global supplies, explaining that it closed the waterway after warning shots were fired at the Cypriot cargo ship, as it was sailing on an unverified route.
Tehran has not yet responded to the US president's assertion.
According to the memorandum of understanding that ended the war between the US and Iran, commercial vessels are to pass through the strait free of charge for 60 days, but it remains unclear what will happen after this 60-day period expires. Tehran claims it has the right to charge vessels using the strait for services rendered, while Washington counters that Tehran cannot do so.
