Iran latest: US says a route through Strait of Hormuz has been reopened

The U.S. announced Monday that American forces have cleared a route that will allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and get around Iran’s effective closure of the vital shipping lane.

The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center told crews that an "enhanced security area" was established for ships to navigate the strait through Omani waters. The new passageway is clear of Iranian mines, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters.

Cooper said Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at civilian ships that were under U.S. military protection and "each and every" threat has been defeated. He added that six of those small boats had been sunk.

Here is the latest from Tuesday:

Rubio on plight of stranded sailors

5:57 p.m. ET: Secretary of State described Iran's shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz as piracy, saying there is no international law that lets countries place mines in international waters and threaten passing ships.

"That is what Iran is doing," Rubio stated during a news conference. "This is a criminal act and someone needs to do something about it. Something needs to be done."

Explaining that crew members on ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz are running out of food and supplies, Rubio called them "innocent bystanders" and "sitting ducks" at the hands of Iran.

Rubio said he is looking forward to the United Nations voting on a Security Council resolution to create a humanitarian corridor through the vital waterway. He said later that the draft proposal had been modified to avoid a veto by Iranian allies.

Iran sends 'firm' warning to stray ships

3:07 p.m. ET: Iran's Revolutionary Guards sent out a new warning to any vessels that strays away from an approved route in the Strait of Hormuz will face a ‘firm response’ from the regime. 

"We warn all vessels planning to transit the Strait of Hormuz that the only safe passage is the corridor previously announced by Iran," it said in a statement carried by state television, according to The Times of Israel. "Any diversion of ships to other routes is dangerous and will result in a firm response from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy."

Iran accuses US of violating ceasefire

6:26 a.m. ET: Iran's parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the United States of undermining shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz. 

In a social media post, he said that Iran has not responded to the U.S. attempt to reopen the strait, "We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet."