The United States maritime blockade of Iranian ports is continuing to hold. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), forces have successfully turned back nine vessels within the first 48 hours of enforcement, ensuring no commercial ships have entered or exited Iranian ports by sea.
CENTCOM stated that the intercepted vessels fully complied with directions from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian coastal area. This builds on the initial six ships that were ordered to reverse course on the first day of the operation.
“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” stated Adm. Brad Cooper, the command’s top officer. He noted that within 36 hours of implementation, US forces completely halted economic sea trade going into and out of Iran.
The blockade is backed by a massive regional deployment, including over 10,000 personnel, dozens of aircraft, and more than a dozen warships.
While the blockade strictly targets ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, US officials confirmed that commercial traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz to other regional destinations remains permitted.
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Tracking data reveals several tankers have delayed or reversed course near the strait’s approach:
The sanctioned tanker reversed course in the Gulf of Oman and is now anchored off Iran.
Two sanctioned VLCCs, Alicia and RHN, entered the Persian Gulf empty and may load Iranian crude.
The Malta flagged VLCC Agios Fanourios I successfully transited the strait after waiting offshore for two days, using the Iranian controlled coastal route to head toward Iraq.
This strict blockade follows the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran.