The US military on Saturday denied Iran’s ​claims that it had closed ‌the Strait of Hormuz, saying the critical waterway remained open ​and that US forces ​were monitoring the situation to ensure ⁠that continued.

“Iran does not ​control the Strait of Hormuz,” ​US Central Command spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told Reuters.

“Traffic continues to ​flow, and U.S. forces ​are monitoring the situation to ensure ‌this ⁠remains the case.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz shut earlier ​on Saturday ​and ⁠warned ships not to approach the waterway, casting ​new doubt on the ​future ⁠of a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran ⁠meant ​to pave the ​way for in-depth peace talks.