00:00Hi, I'm Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, here with an operational
00:04update on two ongoing missions in the Middle East.
00:07Many of our 50,000 U.S. troops operating across the region are doing outstanding work executing
00:13the naval blockade against Iran while maintaining commercial traffic flow through the Strait
00:19of Hormuz.
00:20As recently announced, the U.S. military has achieved a major milestone in the Strait
00:26of Hormuz.
00:27We have successfully cleared sea mines in the Strait's international shipping lanes
00:31that were laid months ago by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
00:37Internationally recognized transit routes in the Strait are free of Iranian sea mines thanks
00:42to the incredible work of the U.S. military.
00:45Let's take a look at exactly what this means.
00:48Here's a nautical chart of the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding seas.
00:51It's frequently used by mariners around the world and clearly identifies the internationally
00:57recognized traffic separation scheme, which you see labeled on the chart as TSS.
01:02A traffic separation scheme is a highway system for ships on the ocean.
01:08Here on the chart, a dividing line is shown and placed between lanes with opposing traffic
01:13directions to keep ships safely apart in the narrow waterway.
01:16These are the long-standing lanes international shipping has historically used to transit the
01:22Strait of Hormuz.
01:23And over the past few months, our forces meticulously and quietly cleared them of sea mine threats,
01:30using a combination of Navy divers, Navy SEALs, and U.S. air power from the Army, Navy, Air Force,
01:36and Marine Corps.
01:38The circumstances were challenging and dangerous to say the least, but we got the job done.
01:43Bottom line, today, international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building.
01:49Over the past several months, U.S. forces have assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels
01:55in transiting the Strait by providing coordinated protection.
01:59Those ships were carrying nearly 750 million barrels of crude oil destined for global energy
02:05markets, which is a massive volume.
02:08And while American forces have supported 750 million barrels of crude oil leaving the Gulf,
02:14Iran has exported zero oil from its shores since we resumed the naval blockade in mid-July.
02:20We have been highly effective.
02:24No ships have entered or left an Iranian port without our permission, and we have only allowed
02:29ships to pass through on humanitarian grounds, which is a credit to the dedication and professionalism
02:34of our sailors, Marines, and airmen in particular, executing this complex mission.
02:40Since resuming the blockade, thousands of U.S. service members operating more than 20 warships
02:45and hundreds of aircraft have sustained our success, turning around 75 vessels attempting
02:52to run the blockade and disabling three vessels that did not comply when directed.
02:57CENTCOM forces have demonstrated time and time again that we are laser-focused on this mission.
03:03We remain vigilant, lethal, and resolved.
03:07During a recent trip to the region, I saw firsthand how our brave men and women continue to answer
03:12the call.
03:12I had the privilege to recognize and thank our troops personally for their extraordinary
03:18service.
03:18We've asked them to stay ready, and that's exactly what they are doing.
03:22I just could not be prouder of their efforts, and I know that the American people share that
03:27same pride.
03:28So to all our service members, keep up the great work, continue to take care of one another,
03:32and Godspeed.
03:33Thanks so much.
