Stock Photo: Garry2014 \/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n
U.S. Turns Back Nine Ships as Iran Port Blockade Holds, Tankers Test Limits<\/p>\n
The United States says its<\/p>\n
of Iranian ports is continuing to hold, with\u00a0U.S. Central Command\u00a0reporting that nine vessels have been turned back in the first 48 hours of enforcement and no ships have successfully entered or exited Iranian ports by sea.<\/p>\n
In a statement, CENTCOM said the vessels \u201ccomplied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area,\u201d building on earlier figures from the first day of the operation when six ships were ordered to reverse course.<\/p>\n
\u201cA blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,\u201d said Adm.\u00a0Brad Cooper, the command\u2019s top officer. \u201cIn less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. naval messages to vessels in the region have warned that ships attempting to call at Iranian ports could be boarded, diverted, or seized. Mariners have been told to abandon voyages to Iran and \u201cnot attempt to breach the blockade,\u201d with the Navy stating that force could be used if vessels do not comply.<\/p>\n
U.S. naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a U.S. blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance.<\/p>\n
pic.twitter.com\/dnHR2oz0ZN<\/p>\n
\u2014 U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM)<\/p>\n
U.S. officials have also provided details of early enforcement actions. A Navy destroyer contacted two tankers leaving the Iranian port of Chabahar and ordered them to turn around, according to a U.S. official familiar with the operation. Both vessels complied.<\/p>\n
The blockade is being carried out by a large U.S. force, with more than 10,000 personnel, over a dozen warships, and dozens of aircraft deployed across the region, according to the military.<\/p>\n
The measures target ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, while U.S. officials say traffic through the\u00a0Strait of Hormuz\u00a0to other destinations remains permitted. Even so, vessel movements in the area have slowed sharply as shipowners assess the risks.<\/p>\n
Tracking data shows several ships have<\/p>\n
delayed or reversed course<\/p>\n
near the approaches to the strait in recent days.<\/p>\n
The sanctioned tanker<\/p>\n
(IMO: 9773301)\u00a0reversed course in the Gulf of Oman after traversing the Iranian-controlled route of Strait of Hormuz and is now anchored off Iran after failing to proceed. At the same time, two sanctioned VLCCs,<\/p>\n
(IMO 9208215), have entered the Persian Gulf empty and may load Iranian crude, according to tracking data shared by TankerTrackers.<\/p>\n
One crude carrier has also made it through the strait under the new conditions. The Malta-flagged VLCC<\/p>\n
(IMO: 9759824), tracked by\u00a0MarineTraffic, entered the Persian Gulf after waiting offshore for nearly two days and is<\/p>\n
. The vessel also used the Iranian-controlled route hugging Iran\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n
\u201cU.S. forces are supporting the freedom of navigation for vessels that are transiting the Strait to and from non-Iranian ports,\u201d said U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.<\/p>\n
Analysts say it is too early to judge how effective the blockade will be over time. Some vessels involved in Iranian oil trades do not broadcast their positions, making movements difficult to track.<\/p>\n
The blockade follows the collapse of talks between the United States and Iran.\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0has said the goal is to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept U.S. terms.<\/p>\n
\u201cChina is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also \u2013 And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran,\u201d Trump posted to Truth Social.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn\u2019t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to \u2013 far better than anyone else!!!,\u201d Trump added.<\/p>\n