Washington maintains commercial shipping continues despite escalating tensions in the strategic waterway 
The United States has insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping despite a fresh exchange of military strikes with Iran, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
President Donald Trump said maritime traffic through the strategic waterway is continuing, rejecting Iranian claims that it controls access to the strait. U.S. officials also reiterated that commercial vessels are still able to transit the vital shipping route, which carries a significant share of the world's oil exports.
The latest escalation followed a series of U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets after Washington accused Tehran of attacking a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, while maintaining its position that it has authority over navigation in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Any disruption to shipping through the passage has the potential to affect global energy markets and international trade.
Governments and shipping companies are closely monitoring developments as fears grow that further military action could threaten regional stability and increase risks to commercial vessels operating in the Gulf.
International leaders have continued to call for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from widening, while global markets remain focused on the security of energy supplies and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.