ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday that it had helped Gulf countries export over 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since summer, despite Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway.

"U.S. forces reach the milestone of assisting Gulf partners in exporting more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since summer," CENTCOM said on X.

CENTCOM also said that, with “support” from its forces, more than 3,000 commercial vessels had “successfully” transited the Strait of Hormuz over the past six months.

Iran shut the key waterway amid its war with the US and Israel, which began in late February, sharply driving up global oil prices. The US has also imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Tehran has demanded that ships obtain permission to transit the strait, while Washington has rejected Iran’s asserted authority over the waterway. Freedom of navigation has been a key US demand in negotiations with Tehran.

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

"Today, primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines thanks to incredible efforts by our people," said Cooper. "We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the U.S. interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry."

The two sides reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June, but the agreement collapsed weeks later after CENTCOM claimed Iranian forces had fired on a Cyprus-flagged ship.

Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions under the MoU are met.

On Thursday, marking 100 days since US forces resumed the maritime blockade of Iran, CENTCOM said the embargo had prevented Iran from exporting "at least $25 billion worth of crude oil.”