US navy blocks Iranian oil tankers leaving port, officials say

US navy blocks Iranian oil tankers leaving port, officials say A US Navy destroyer has intercepted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran, ordering them to turn around as part of a newly enforced maritime blockade, according to a US official cited by Reuters. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred on Tuesday after the vessels departed from Chabahar Port and were contacted via radio by the warship. The official added that the two tankers were among six merchant vessels referenced earlier by US Central Command, which said ships had complied with orders to “turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman”. Central Command said no vessels have passed the blockade since it came into effect on Monday at 10 am in Washington (14:00 GMT), as the US tightens its effort to restrict Iranian oil flows.  US sailors signal to an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford for a mission supporting Operation Epic Fury on 19 March 2026.   REUTERS