Commander of US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, updating on the effects of CENTCOM’s efforts against Iran on Friday, said that about 400 merchant ships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz last week.
“When US forces conducted major combat operations during Epic Fury earlier this year, we significantly degraded Iran’s ability to project power far beyond its borders. We sank Iran’s navy, we destroyed its weapons factories, and we curtailed the IRGC’s (Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) ability to launch ballistic missiles and drones,” he noted.
“Since our highly successful 38-day campaign, America’s more than 50,000 service members deployed to the Middle East have continued doing incredible work, standing shoulder to shoulder with regional partners to defend against Iranian attacks, clearing the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian sea mines and providing protection to commercial shipping, and twice establishing an ironclad naval blockade that remains in place.
“As a point of emphasis, with the exception of the humanitarian assistance we’ve allowed in, Iran has no exports and no imports by sea. The sum total of these actions has imposed devastating costs on Iran’s security apparatus and the IRGC specifically,” Adm. Cooper pointed out.
“In recent months, CENTCOM, in close coordination with US interagency partners, has delivered severe blows to the Islamic regime and IRGC in three important areas: one, oil exports, the second digital financing, and the third payroll for security forces. “Here’s exactly what that looks like. So far, we’ve prevented Iran from exporting at least 25 billion dollars worth of crude oil.
“This is billions of dollars that would have been used by the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism to finance proxy militias, criminal networks, and attacks against Americans and our allies. “CENTCOM has also supported US interagency partners in freezing nearly 350 million dollars in digital cryptocurrency assets, further constricting Iran’s ability to fund terrorism or replace weapons and factories that we destroyed.
“The compounding effect of America’s pressure on Iran is being felt across all sectors of their economy. “Iran’s government is withholding salaries, pensions, and benefits to workers in industries such as oil and energy, manufacturing, construction, security, and the IRGC itself,” he went on. “The financial strain on Iran’s military has become so significant that there are reports of Iran-aligned militia groups across the region withholding payments to their soldiers in order to funnel money back to the IRGC, which also is not paying its troops.
“The Islamic regime is clearly feeling the economic pain, and the IRGC is increasingly showing signs of greater desperation as a result. “In recent days and months, we’ve seen the IRGC continually attack merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and in many cases, kill innocent civilian mariners.
“The International Maritime Organization reports that more than 20 civilian mariners have been killed by Iran’s attacks against commercial shipping since February. “Despite Iran’s unjustified attacks, commercial vessels continue to flow through the Strait of Hormuz as we work with regional allies and shipping industry partners to bolster protection.
“Let me be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and our regional partners, not Iran, and it remains open for business. “Over the last seven days alone, about 400 merchant ships have sailed through the Strait,” he affirmed.
“US forces have also assisted Gulf partners in shipping over 100 million barrels of crude oil during the same period, adding to the more than 1.3 billion barrels of crude we have helped regional allies ship through the Strait in recent months.
“None of this would be possible without the bravery, dedication, and professionalism of America’s men and women in uniform who continue to do tremendous work each and every day.
“I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts, and I know the American people share in that same pride. To all our service members, stay focused. Keep up the great work,” Adm. Cooper said.
Source: KUNA
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