Ankara: Several US navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, marking a significant event since the onset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28. This move marks the first passage of US naval vessels through the critical waterway since the war began.

According to Anadolu Agency, reporter Barak Ravid on US social media company X, a US official confirmed that the transit was not coordinated with Iran. The crossing occurs amid ongoing negotiations led by Pakistan to resolve the extensive armed conflict in the Middle East, which escalated following the US-Israeli offensive on Iran earlier this year. Pakistan successfully mediated a two-week US-Iran ceasefire earlier this week, reflecting efforts to de-escalate the situation.

The war between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition has severely disrupted the flow of goods through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for global crude and LNG trade, leading to a significant energy crisis worldwide. The conflict has had devastating human costs, with nearly 3,000 Iranians reported killed, according to Iran’s health authorities, alongside the loss of at least 13 US servicemen and numerous injuries.