US Centcom says 78 vessels redirected under Iran blockade
The United States Central Command said Saturday that 78 commercial vessels had been redirected and four disabled as part of efforts to enforce President Donald Trump’s blockade on ships travelling to and from Iran through the Strait of Hormuz.
“As of May 16, 78 commercial ships have been redirected, and 4 have been disabled to ensure compliance,” Centcom said on X.
Regional tensions have remained elevated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran and the closure of the strategic waterway.
Although a ceasefire took effect on 8 April through Pakistani mediation, negotiations failed to produce a permanent agreement and the US has continued restrictions on vessels linked to Iranian ports.