Iran rejects US Hormuz oil claim, calls CENTCOM figures 'false and ridiculous'
Synopsis
Iran's armed forces have flatly rejected CENTCOM's claim of overseeing 1 billion barrels of oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz, branding it a 'failed psychological operation.' With Admiral Cooper simultaneously asserting Iran has exported zero barrels under a US 'ironclad blockade,' the competing claims lay bare a high-stakes information war over the world's most critical oil chokepoint.
Key Takeaways
Iran's armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi on 20 September 2026 called CENTCOM's Hormuz oil transit claim 'false and ridiculous.' CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper claimed US forces supported the movement of over 1 billion barrels of crude and assisted 2,000+ commercial ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz .
Cooper additionally stated Iran had exported ' zero barrels ' of oil due to a US 'ironclad blockade.' The standoff follows US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February , after which Tehran restricted Hormuz passage and the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz handles an estimated 20% of global oil supply, making the dispute significant for energy markets worldwide, including India .
Iran's armed forces on 20 September 2026 flatly rejected a claim by US Central Command (CENTCOM) that American forces had supported the transport of over 1 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, calling the assertion a deliberate attempt to mislead. The denial deepens the information war around one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints, where US and Iranian forces remain in direct standoff following months of escalating naval pressure.
Iran's Rebuttal
Abolfazl Shekarchi, senior spokesman for Iran's armed forces, described the CENTCOM claim as 'false and ridiculous.' In a statement carried by Iranian media, Shekarchi argued that the remarks by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper amounted to 'a projection and a failed psychological operation to boost the morale of the terrorist US Army's exhausted and worn-out forces in the region and justify the exorbitant financial costs and casualties incurred by the United States in the region.'
Shekarchi further stressed that such statements 'could not change the reality' of what he described as the expulsion of the 'aggressive' US Army from the region, insisting that the initiative in the Strait of Hormuz remained firmly in the hands of Iran's armed forces.
What CENTCOM Said
In remarks posted on US social media platform X, Admiral Cooper declared: 'CENTCOM forces have supported more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil leaving the Gulf.' He added that US forces had assisted over 2,000 commercial ship transits through the strait by 'providing coordinated protection,' calling the figure a 'significant milestone' and saying 'clearly, the momentum is building.'
Cooper also claimed that Iran had exported 'zero barrels' of oil, attributing the halt to what he called the US 'ironclad blockade' — a framing Tehran categorically disputes.
Background: How the Standoff Began
The current crisis escalated following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, after which Tehran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz. US forces subsequently imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports. The strait, through which an estimated 20% of global oil supply passes, has been at the centre of the standoff ever since.
Notably, both sides have issued competing claims about control of the waterway in the months since — a pattern that analysts say reflects the broader information dimension of the conflict, where each side seeks to shape the narrative for domestic audiences and regional partners.
Strategic Stakes
The Strait of Hormuz is arguably the single most important maritime chokepoint for global energy markets. Any sustained disruption or credible threat to shipping lanes drives immediate reactions in crude oil prices worldwide. The competing claims from Washington and Tehran carry direct consequences for Gulf producers, insurance markets, and energy-importing nations — including India, which sources a significant share of its crude from the Gulf region.
With neither side showing signs of de-escalation, the battle over Hormuz narratives is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Aimed at projecting Iranian resilience to a domestic and regional audience. The deeper problem is that independent verification of either side's shipping and blockade figures is effectively impossible, which means the information war will continue unchecked. For India and other Gulf-dependent importers, the real question is not who controls the narrative but whether the physical risk to crude supply lanes is being managed — and neither side's statement answers that.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Iran say about CENTCOM's Strait of Hormuz oil claim?
Iran's armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi described CENTCOM's claim as 'false and ridiculous,' calling it a psychological operation intended to boost US troop morale and justify costs in the region. He insisted that the strategic initiative in the Strait of Hormuz remained with Iran's armed forces.
What did CENTCOM's Admiral Brad Cooper claim about Hormuz oil transits?
Admiral Brad Cooper stated that CENTCOM forces had supported the transit of over 1 billion barrels of crude oil from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz and had assisted more than 2,000 commercial ship transits. He also claimed Iran had exported zero barrels of oil due to a US 'ironclad blockade.'
How did the current US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz begin?
The standoff escalated after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, following which Tehran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The US responded by imposing a naval blockade on vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports.
Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter for global energy markets?
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's single most critical oil chokepoint, with an estimated 20% of global crude supply passing through it. Any disruption directly affects oil prices and energy security for major importers, including India, which sources a large share of its crude from Gulf producers.
Are the competing US and Iran claims independently verified?
Independent verification of either side's figures — on oil transits or the effectiveness of the blockade — is not currently possible given the active military standoff. Both Washington and Tehran have strong incentives to shape the narrative in their favour, and analysts caution that the competing claims reflect an information war as much as a military one.
