The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported the interception of 38 commercial vessels associated with Iran since the initiation of a maritime blockade. This operation aims to restrict the movement of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports.
CENTCOM stated that U.S. naval forces have directed these vessels to turn around or return to port. Notably, on Saturday, a U.S. Navy helicopter operating from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney intercepted the commercial ship Sevan, which is under U.S. sanctions. Following military orders, the vessel was redirected back to Iran.
Additionally, last week, two sanctioned oil tankers belonging to Iran’s ‘shadow fleet’—Majestic X and Tifani—were seized by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) forces in the Indian Ocean.
According to sources from Reuters within the shipping and security sectors, U.S. military operations have intercepted at least three tankers flying the Iranian flag in Asian waters, diverting them from positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its naval forces captured two cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military continues to enforce a blockade against Iranian maritime activities, having intercepted numerous vessels linked to Iran. This ongoing operation highlights tensions in regional shipping routes and U.S. efforts to curb Iranian influence.