The United States Central Command has rejected Iran’s assertion that the Strait of Hormuz has been reclosed, affirming that commercial vessels continue to transit the waterway. The denial comes amid heightened regional tensions as ceasefire negotiations face mounting pressure.
As a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, any verified closure of Hormuz would force LNG carriers and crude tankers to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 15-20 days to voyage times and elevating freight costs substantially. Nigeria’s LNG export corridor faces indirect exposure if regional instability escalates, though current US reassurances suggest no immediate disruption to Nigerian export logistics through alternative routes.