US Central Command says American forces have redirected dozens of vessels during maritime operations, while Iran has not yet responded to the claims.
WASHINGTON, United States — WEB DESK: The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has claimed that American forces have redirected 24 commercial vessels while enforcing maritime restrictions against Iran, saying the operations are part of ongoing efforts to implement the US-led maritime blockade.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said that, as of July 30, US forces had redirected 24 commercial ships, disabled two vessels, and boarded two others during operations in Middle Eastern waters.
CENTCOM Outlines Maritime Operations
According to the US military, the operations are intended to ensure compliance with maritime restrictions imposed on Iran.
CENTCOM also released an image showing a US Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft receiving mid-air refuelling from a US Air Force tanker aircraft during surveillance operations over the region.
The command said the Poseidon aircraft is among several air and naval assets monitoring key shipping routes to support maritime security and enforce the restrictions.
Limited Details Released
CENTCOM did not disclose the identities of the commercial vessels, the nature of their cargoes, or the circumstances under which they were redirected.
The statement also did not explain how the two vessels were “disabled” or provide further operational details regarding the boarding of two ships.
No Immediate Response From Iran
At the time of publication, Iran had not issued an official response to the US claims.
The reported actions have not been independently verified, and no additional information has been released by neutral international maritime authorities.
Regional Shipping Under Increased Scrutiny
Defence analysts say heightened tensions in the Gulf have led to increased naval patrols and surveillance across major maritime corridors.
Any disruption to commercial shipping in the region could affect global trade, energy supplies and international shipping routes, particularly those linked to the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
