Iran's joint military command has rejected assertions made by the United States that two Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and natural gas passes. The US military had indicated that these destroyers were conducting mine-clearing operations, marking the first such passage since the conflict began. However, Iranian state media reported that their forces compelled a US military vessel attempting to navigate the strait to turn back. This incident underscores the heightened tensions between the two nations, especially as negotiations are currently underway in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz is expected to be a focal point in these discussions, given its strategic importance in global energy trade.