US Says Dozens of Commercial Ships Diverted Under Iran Naval Blockade

(MENAFN) The US military said on Monday that it has redirected dozens of commercial ships attempting to move in and out of Iranian ports as part of an ongoing naval blockade targeting maritime traffic linked to Iran.

According to reports from US Central Command, a US warship operating in regional waters is currently involved in enforcement operations in the Arabian Sea.

"USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) monitors regional waters as it transits the Arabian Sea during enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on the US social media platform X.

The same statement added that a significant number of vessels have been intercepted or rerouted as part of compliance measures.

"CENTCOM forces have redirected 62 commercial ships and disabled 4 to ensure compliance."

Tensions in the region escalated significantly after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to retaliatory actions by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, alongside the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was later introduced on April 8 following mediation efforts led by Pakistan, though talks held in Islamabad did not produce a lasting peace agreement. The truce was subsequently extended by US President Donald Trump without a fixed end date.

Since April 13, the United States has maintained naval operations aimed at restricting Iranian maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz area.

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