US Central Command Reports Disappearance of 11 Iranian Vessels from Gulf of Oman

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Monday the sudden disappearance of eleven Iranian vessels that had been observed in the Gulf of Oman two days prior, signaling a notable shift in Iranian maritime positioning amid escalating regional tensions.

In a brief statement released via its official account on the X platform, CENTCOM noted, "Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 vessels in the Gulf of Oman; as of today, they are absent," without offering further specifics regarding the nature of the vessels or the reasons behind their withdrawal.

The statement further accused Tehran of decades of "harassment and assault against international shipping" in vital maritime routes, asserting pointedly that "that era is over." CENTCOM emphasized that freedom of maritime navigation has remained a fundamental pillar of economic prosperity for the United States and the world for over 80 years, confirming that American forces "will continue to defend it."

This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened security concerns in the waterways proximate to the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as one of the world's most critical energy transit arteries, handling a substantial volume of global oil exports.