Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), flew over the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter and met with U.S. military personnel. Cooper stated that the visit underscored the U.S.'s unwavering commitment to continued freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Since this summer, the U.S. military has assisted Gulf partners in exporting over 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil. Iran claims control over the waterway, while the U.S. military has been escorting vessels through the strait, insisting on an "open" Strait of Hormuz.