US Forces Redirect 160 Commercial Vessels During Iran Maritime Blockade

More than 20 U.S. Navy warships are currently operating within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Middle East, supporting ongoing regional security missions, including the enforcement of a naval blockade of Iran, according to CENTCOM. CENTCOM said U.S. forces recently redirected 18 commercial vessels operating in the region. The command also reported disabling two ships that allegedly failed to comply with repeated warnings issued by U.S. forces. American personnel also boarded and inspected two additional commercial vessels to verify compliance with blockade regulations before allowing them to continue their voyages, the command said.