U.S. Redirects Commercial Vessels Amid Iranian Blockade

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), at least 100 commercial ships have been redirected in the past couple of months as part of the United States’ blockade on Iranian ports.

In a statement released on Saturday, CENTCOM highlighted that “ZERO” vessels have been able to pass through the blockade without U.S. approval.

“CENTCOM forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels over the past 60 days since America resumed the steel wall blockade against Iran,” the statement read. “ZERO ships have passed through the blockade without U.S. forces allowing. American service members remain laser focused on this mission,” it continued.

The blockade was first put in place in mid-April, lasting around two months before being lifted on June 18th after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed as part of ongoing peace discussions between the U.S. and Iran.

However, after about a month without the blockade, CENTCOM reinstated it on July 14th due to the collapse of the ceasefire that had been established under the MOU.

Despite recent exchanges of strikes between the U.S. and Iran, U.S. officials have signaled a shift towards an economic offensive aimed at undermining the Iranian regime. This strategy includes the blockade itself along with additional sanctions intended to isolate Iran globally.