118 commercial vessels redirected, five disabled under Iran blockade: US military
Florida, June 1
The United States Central Command has announced that American forces have redirected 118 commercial vessels and disabled five others as part of Washington's active naval blockade aimed at Iranian ports.
American forces established a naval blockade of Iran on 13 April.
The US military "has redirected 118 commercial vessels and disabled 5 as of May 31," CENTCOM stated on Sunday in a post on X.
Following the implementation, US Central Command warned that they will continue blocking the movement of all ships heading both to and from Iranian ports.
This aggressive enforcement on the high seas unfolds even as diplomatic channels show signs of deep strain. Days after declaring a proposed agreement with Tehran "largely finalised", US President Donald Trump has reportedly returned the draft text for extensive modifications, extending the diplomatic process and injecting fresh ambiguity into efforts aimed at halting the confrontation.
According to CNN, Trump requested tougher provisions on Iran's nuclear commitments and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting with advisers.
The US President has reportedly also expressed concern over the extent of financial relief that could be offered to Tehran under any agreement, wary of comparisons with the Obama-era nuclear deal, which he has repeatedly criticised as too lenient.
The latest round of changes comes a week after Trump said the deal was "largely finalised" and indicated that an end to hostilities was imminent.
Since then, US officials have signalled progress towards an agreement that would halt fighting, reopen the strait, and allow for further detailed negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.
However, despite Trump stating he would make a "final determination" during Friday's meeting and outlining some conditions on social media, the two-hour session concluded without a decision.
In his message, Trump said the US would seize Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and destroy it, though Iran has consistently said it is not discussing details of its nuclear programme under the current talks.
Trump also said there had been no discussion of exchanging money as part of the deal, while Iran has said financial provisions must be included in any agreement.
How these differences will be resolved remains unclear as negotiations continue over the wording of the deal.
Earlier, Axios also reported that Trump had sought revisions to the proposed agreement, including tougher language on the reopening of Hormuz in the deal with Iran.
The legislative leadership in Tehran has responded to the development with firm rhetoric. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that no agreement with the US would be approved until Tehran's "rights" are secured, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
"The soldiers of the diplomatic battlefield have no trust in the words and promises of the enemy. What matters to us are tangible achievements that we must obtain, in exchange for which we will fulfil our commitments," Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said the terms outlined by Trump appear acceptable on paper but may be difficult to implement, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
— ANI
Reader Comments
US redirecting 118 commercial vessels is a massive escalation. This feels like a prelude to something bigger. Trump's back-and-forth on the deal is confusing—first 'largely finalised', now demanding tougher provisions. How do you negotiate with someone who keeps changing the goalposts?
I understand the US wants to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, but a naval blockade is literally an act of war under international law. The humanitarian impact on ordinary Iranians will be severe. India must tread carefully—we have strategic ties with both sides.
Reading this gives me déjà vu from the 2019 Persian Gulf crisis. Blockades rarely work—they just strengthen hardliners on both sides. Ghalibaf's statement about 'no trust in the enemy' says it all. The diplomatic path is clearly not being taken seriously.
Trump worrying about comparisons with the Obama-era nuclear deal while 118 ships are being redirected? The irony is thick. If the US wants a stable Gulf, they need to stop playing politics and commit to a real agreement. Otherwise, India will have to pay the price at the petrol pump. ⛽
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