MANAMA, July 7 — The U.S. Fifth Fleet’s commander has confirmed that Iran has resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who took command of the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces in May 2024, told reporters on April 13 that Iran had deployed additional destroyers and aircraft to the region. The renewed aggression targets merchant vessels transiting the strait, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum passes.
Cooper has stressed the U.S. commitment to keeping those sea lanes open for commerce. He previously led the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and oversaw maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf from 2021 to 2022. His career includes stints in counter-piracy and mine countermeasure operations.
The admiral’s command works closely with the International Maritime Security Construct, or IMSC, an alliance formed in 2019 to protect shipping in the region. The IMSC includes the United Kingdom, Australia, and several Gulf states.
How it works: the IMSC patrols key waterways and responds to distress calls from commercial vessels. The coalition’s presence is meant to deter attacks and reassure shipping companies that the route remains viable. But the latest Iranian moves suggest deterrence has limits.
Cooper’s confirmation of the attacks came as part of a broader assessment of maritime threats in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and Oman, narrow enough that a few well-placed mines or missile batteries could disrupt traffic for weeks.
What researchers and analysts watching the region have found is that Iran’s pattern of harassment tends to ebb and flow with diplomatic negotiations. When talks stall, the naval incidents rise. The current uptick follows months of stalemate over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Fifth Fleet has responded by increasing its own patrols and coordinating more closely with allied navies. Cooper has emphasized that the U.S. will not tolerate interference with lawful commerce.
For now, the situation remains tense but not yet at the level of open confrontation. Shipping companies are being advised to maintain heightened vigilance when transiting the strait. The coming weeks will show whether the coalition’s presence can hold the line, or whether Iran will push further.
