Instead, he pointed to ongoing maritime movement and energy flow as proof the corridor remains open and active.
“No closure” despite Iran’s announcement
Iranian officials, including the country’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, had recently announced intentions to close the Strait of Hormuz following claims of violations tied to a ceasefire framework. The declaration quickly triggered global concern, given the strait’s importance to global energy markets.
But Vance insisted the reality on the ground tells a different story.
According to him, commercial vessels are still moving through the passage without interruption, and oil shipments remain not only steady but at unusually high levels.
“One of the things the president has set us out to do as a high priority is to open the Strait,” Vance said.
“That’s now happened,” he added.
He further emphasized that available shipping data supports the administration’s position that the waterway remains operational despite Iran’s rhetoric.
“We actually got 16 million barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz yesterday,” Vance said.
“That is a record going back to even before the conflict started.”
“So you’re seeing those ships move,” he added.
Iran’s justification and regional tensions
Iran’s announcement came shortly after its military command accused both the United States and Israel of failing to uphold elements of a recently discussed agreement aimed at stabilizing the region.
The statement, carried by Iranian state media, claimed the decision to restrict or close the strait was a response to continued military activity, including Israeli operations and actions involving Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Iran also accused the United States of acting in bad faith and ignoring provisions tied to a broader memorandum designed to reduce hostilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, remains one of the most strategically important maritime chokepoints in the world. A significant portion of global oil exports flows through the narrow passage, making any disruption a major concern for energy markets and global stability.
Trump-era framework and diplomatic push
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran, which reportedly included provisions aimed at restoring full maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz after months of instability and disruption.
The closure threats and counterclaims now raise questions about how durable that agreement truly is, especially as tensions continue to flare across multiple fronts in the region.
The dispute also comes at a time when energy markets have already been under pressure, with previous disruptions in the strait contributing to rising global prices and supply chain concerns.
Continued diplomacy behind the scenes
Despite the rhetoric and regional escalation, Vance emphasized that diplomatic channels remain active.
He confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner are currently in Switzerland ahead of scheduled negotiations set for Sunday.
Those talks, according to the administration, are intended to advance discussions toward a more permanent and structured peace arrangement between Washington and Tehran.
Fighting intensifies in Lebanon
While diplomacy continues, violence on the ground has escalated significantly.
Israeli airstrikes targeting southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least 16 individuals and injured 12 others, according to Lebanese Civil Defense officials.
The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the operations, stating the strikes were a direct response to heavy rocket fire originating from Hezbollah positions.
In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces said:
“In order to remove threats and in response to Hezbollah’s blatant violations, the IDF struck dozens of Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and terrorists in southern Lebanon throughout the night,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
The exchange of fire underscores how fragile the regional security environment remains, even as diplomatic efforts attempt to reduce tensions.
White House silence and ongoing uncertainty
As of now, the Washington Examiner reported that the White House has not issued an official public response specifically addressing Iran’s latest claim regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
For the administration, the focus appears to remain on emphasizing that commercial shipping is still flowing and that diplomatic negotiations are ongoing in an effort to prevent further escalation.
Still, uncertainty lingers. Whether Iran intends to act on its announcement—or whether the declaration is part of a broader pressure campaign—remains unclear.
What is certain is that the Strait of Hormuz continues to sit at the center of global geopolitical tension, with energy security, military escalation, and high-stakes diplomacy all converging in a rapidly evolving situation.
