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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Tuesday that its naval blockade successfully prevented six merchant vessels from departing Iranian waters during its first 24 hours of operation.
According to military officials, the ships complied with directives to return to ports along the Gulf of Oman.
The mission is a massive undertaking, involving over 10,000 American troops, dozens of aircraft, and more than 12 warships positioned to enforce the maritime restrictions.
CENTCOM emphasised that the blockade is being applied impartially to vessels from all nations attempting to enter or exit Iranian coastal areas.
This strategic move follows the collapse of recent peace negotiations and serves as a countermeasure to Tehran’s own closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The military maintains that the primary goal is to maintain total control over shipping traffic tied to the Islamic Republic.
However, independent maritime data has provided a conflicting view of the blockade’s effectiveness.
Tracking information from the provider Kpler indicated that at least two vessels managed to transit the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian ports on Monday, despite the U.S. military’s claims of a total shutdown.
This discrepancy highlights the ongoing tension and logistical challenges as the U.S.-Israeli air campaign and retaliatory maritime restrictions continue to evolve.
