PiCK
US Central Command Steps Up Iran Maritime Blockade, Diverts 130 Commercial Vessels
Summary
- The U.S. military said it diverted 130 commercial vessels in Middle Eastern waters while enforcing an Iran maritime blockade.
- CENTCOM said it diverted 130 commercial vessels during blockade operations targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, and disabled three vessels that failed to comply.
- CENTCOM said it advised vessels operating near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to continue monitoring navigation warnings and to contact the U.S. Navy on VHF Channel 16.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
The U.S. military said it has diverted 130 commercial vessels in Middle Eastern waters while enforcing an ongoing maritime blockade against Iran.
U.S. Central Command said on Oct. 5 it redirected its 130th commercial vessel during operations to enforce the blockade.
The U.S. military resumed the maritime blockade on July 14 under orders from President Donald Trump, targeting ships seeking to enter or leave Iranian ports. CENTCOM said it has diverted 130 commercial vessels to date and disabled three that failed to comply.
CENTCOM also said it destroyed 13 commercial vessels over the past 12 weeks that either violated the blockade or were tied to a multibillion-dollar informal maritime network linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.
Gen. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said the U.S. military remains focused on the mission and will respond quickly to vessels attempting to breach the blockade. U.S. forces are highly trained and possess professional, lethal capabilities, he added.
CENTCOM advised vessels operating near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to continue monitoring navigation warnings. It also asked ships transiting the area to contact the U.S. Navy on VHF Channel 16, the standard ship-to-ship communications channel.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.