The US Central Command denied Iran's claim to close the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the strait remains open to civilian vessel traffic. The US military has diverted 30 merchant ships and disabled two others through maritime interdiction measures against Iran, which resumed on July 14th. Two other vessels have undergone boarding inspections. These actions aim to block Iran's crude oil and gas exports, thereby impacting the country's economy. The US military emphasized its ongoing blockade against Iran by releasing a photograph of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter preparing for takeoff from the USS Michael Murphy.
