CENTCOM says 130th vessel redirected as U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in force

U.S. Central Command says American forces have redirected the 130th commercial vessel under the renewed naval blockade of Iranian ports, as Washington continues enforcing restrictions on maritime traffic entering or leaving Iran.

CENTCOM says the blockade, which was resumed on July 14 at the direction of President Donald Trump, remains fully in effect.

According to the command, U.S. forces have disabled three vessels that refused to comply with blockade instructions during the renewed operation.

CENTCOM also says that over the past 12 weeks American forces have destroyed 13 commercial vessels that were either violating the blockade or allegedly operating as part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ multibillion-dollar “shadow network.”

More than 70 vessels carrying humanitarian assistance have been permitted to pass through the blockade, according to CENTCOM.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, warned that American forces would act quickly against vessels attempting to breach the restrictions.

The blockade was first imposed from April 13 until June 18, during which CENTCOM said U.S. forces redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships and allowed more than 50 humanitarian vessels to pass.

The renewed blockade began on July 14 and applies to vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas.

The latest figures were attributed to CENTCOM. Cedar News could independently confirm the July 14 resumption of the blockade and earlier enforcement figures, but had not located a separate official release confirming every element of the newest cumulative tally at the time of publication.