Brigadier General Shekarchi Calls US CENTCOM Assertions ‘False and Ridiculous’

Tehran, September 20 – Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the official voice of Iran’s armed forces, labeled the recent claims made by U.S. Central Command as “false” and “ridiculous.” The remarks were issued in response to a statement from CENTCOM that U.S. forces had facilitated the transport of more than one billion barrels of oil through the Hormuz Strait over the past sixty days.

Shekarchi argued that the narrative is not grounded in reality and appears to be an attempt to shift blame for the economic and humanitarian hardships the United States faces in the region. He highlighted that Iran retains full command over the strategic chokepoint and that no commercial vessel can navigate the strait without Iranian clearance.

The Iranian general said the U.S. description of its operations resembles a “failed psychological operation” designed to uplift the morale of American troops who are, in his view, becoming “tired and weakened.” He warned that any continued misinformation would only heighten tensions and destabilize the already volatile Gulf environment.

Meanwhile, Admiral Brad Cooper continued to claim that U.S. forces have provided security for over 2,000 commercial ships and have removed explosive tunnels from primary sea lanes, making navigation safer for global trade.