Representative image (Image source: AP)
The U.S. military said Thursday it turned back 10 ships trying to leave Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of its naval blockade, even as maritime tracking data suggests some ships may have initially crossed the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on X, US Central Command said: “Ten ships have now been returned, and the ships have not penetrated anything since the US blockade began on Monday.” The latest number includes an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that was “redirected” by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) after it attempted to evade the blockade on Wednesday.
According to the US military, the Iranian-flagged cargo ship left Bandar Abbas, exited the strait, and was transiting along the Iranian coast before being forced to turn back.
US Central Command had previously reported the return of nine ships, before adding the tenth interception.However, maritime tracking data appears to complicate the US calculation. Data on Tuesday indicated that at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports had transited the strait, with some later reversing course. These ships were among at least seven vessels linked to Iran that transited the waterway after the blockade went into effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, according to marine analytics firm Kpler.
US officials confirm that the blockade is in place outside the strait, in the Gulf of Oman, meaning ships may pass through the choke point but still face subsequent interception.The Trump administration announced a complete naval blockade after the failure of negotiations in Islamabad, and aims to stop maritime trade linked to Iran in an attempt to increase pressure on Tehran. US Central Command said it is being applied “neutral against all ships from all countries” entering or leaving Iranian ports, with naval forces prepared to force them to comply. Tehran’s forces have largely restricted maritime traffic through the strategic energy corridor, the Strait of Hormuz, since the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel began on February 28, amid escalating regional tensions.However, according to the New York Post, diplomatic talks between the US and Iran aimed at ending the conflict that is currently under a fragile ceasefire could resume later this week in Pakistan, even as the blockade continues and tensions remain.
