The key facts

  • Admiral Brad Cooper: Iran has no maritime imports or exports except humanitarian aid
  • $25 billion in oil exports prevented, crypto assets worth ~$350 million frozen
  • Cooper: the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the US and partners, ~400 vessels passed in a week

CENTCOM commander's statement

Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Admiral Brad Cooper said in a video address on Friday, October 17, that Iran has been cut off from maritime imports and exports as part of Washington's campaign against Tehran's oil revenues and military financing. According to him, US efforts are focused on three areas: restricting Iranian oil exports, undermining digital financing, and weakening the ability of Iran's security forces to pay personnel. 'Except for the humanitarian aid we have permitted, Iran has no exports or imports by sea,' Cooper said.

Financial figures of the campaign

Cooper said that American forces in recent months have prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion worth of oil. According to him, CENTCOM has also helped interagency partners freeze cryptocurrency assets worth nearly $350 million, which, he claims, limits Iran's ability to finance 'terrorism' and rebuild destroyed weapons and facilities.

Payment problems and the IRGC

Cooper stated that Iran-linked groups in the region have begun delaying payments to their fighters, redirecting funds to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which, he claimed, is also having difficulty paying its personnel. 'The Islamic regime is clearly feeling economic pain, and the IRGC is increasingly showing signs of desperation,' he said.

Situation in the Strait of Hormuz

Despite the restrictions, Cooper said commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues, emphasizing: 'The strait is controlled by the US and our regional partners, not Iran, and remains open.' He accused Iran of attacks on commercial vessels and said that over the previous seven days about 400 commercial ships passed through the strait, and with US assistance, partners in the Persian Gulf transported more than 100 million barrels of oil through the waterway; the total volume transported with US assistance in recent months exceeded 1.3 billion barrels.