WASHINGTON / MIDDLE EAST: Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), has issued a direct video briefing and message while flying in a U.S. military CH-47 Chinook helicopter directly over the Strait of Hormuz. Rather than holding the briefing at a conventional headquarters, Admiral Cooper recorded this operational update in mid-air above the maritime corridor to demonstrate the active presence and operational successes of U.S. forces in the region.
Gazing through the helicopter window toward commercial and naval vessels operating below, Admiral Cooper announced that joint operations by U.S. naval forces and international coalition allies have completely cleared Iranian naval mines from all international maritime channels in the Strait of Hormuz.
He further revealed that since the successful clearing of these sea routes, thousands of commercial ships carrying nearly 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil along with billions of dollars worth of international commerce have safely navigated through the transit passage under U.S. and allied security protection. Concluding his official address, Admiral Cooper reaffirmed that U.S. forces will remain actively engaged in the region to safeguard global energy supplies, ensure freedom of navigation, and protect international trade routes from any potential threats.
