U.S. official says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open, controlled by U.S.' amid Seoul weighing deployment

Washington, September 8 - The United States Navy has declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open and under its control, according to a U.S. official. This comes as South Korea is considering the potential deployment of military assets to secure the vital waterway, which is crucial for shipping oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and other commodities.

The official stated that the Strait is completely open and controlled by the United States Navy, thanks to a successful blockade that prevents anything from reaching Iran, but remains accessible to all other vessels. Millions of barrels of oil pass through the Strait every day. The U.S. Navy has cleared the Strait of mines, allowing increased transit to and from non-Iranian ports.

When asked about any discussions between Seoul and Washington on the matter, the official confirmed that South Korea's defense ministry had dispatched an on-site investigation team to evaluate the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the defense ministry emphasized that the dispatch was not contingent on the deployment of military forces.