CENTCOM says 55 vessels redirected under Iran blockade enforcement
Washington, DC, August 10
The US Central Command on Monday said that US naval forces have redirected 55 commercial vessels as part of efforts to enforce the US blockade against Iran.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "US Sailors stand watch on the bridge of USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of over 20 U.S. warships deployed to the Middle East supporting military missions, including strict enforcement of the US blockade against Iran."
"As of Aug. 9, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance," it added.
The latest update comes after CENTCOM earlier reported similar maritime actions, including allowing several vessels carrying humanitarian aid to pass through the blockade.
The central command added that over 30 ships were allowed passage for humanitarian aid, while sailors maintain F/A-18E Super Hornets aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to keep the strike group mission ready.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "US Sailors conduct maintenance on F/A-18E Super Hornets on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to ensure carrier strike group assets remain mission ready to enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 8, CENTCOM redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. The U.S. military has also permitted more than 30 ships to pass through the blockade for humanitarian aid."
Tensions between the US and Iran have remained high amid developments around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) said that the United States is adopting a "low-key" approach towards Iran and is not currently looking to launch a fresh military offensive, Axios reported.
"We are low keying it," Axios quoted Trump as saying. Trump added that the US was only "semi-negotiating" with Iran and was closely monitoring its worsening economic situation.
He further added, "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money."
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington is working to establish a route allowing commercial ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while continuing to pressure Iran amid ongoing tensions in the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The US says they're allowing humanitarian aid through, which is good. But "strict enforcement" feels like a euphemism for economic warfare. Iranians are suffering from inflation and sanctions, and this blockade just makes it worse. Diplomacy should come first, not gunboat diplomacy.
As someone whose family business depends on shipping through the Gulf, this is scary. The US has every right to protect its interests, but redirecting 55 commercial vessels is a big deal. It's disruptive to global trade, and India should be talking to both sides to ensure our energy security isn't compromised. 🙏
Trump says they're "low keying it" but sending 20 warships isn't low key by any stretch of the imagination. And "semi-negotiating" while enforcing a blockade? That's not diplomacy, that's coercion. India has historically had good relations with Iran. We should be pushing for calm, not picking sides.
Everyone talks about oil prices, but what about innocent Iranian civilians? The US is literally crippling their economy with inflation and no money, as Trump said. This whole thing feels like a bully at a playground. I'm not supporting Iran's regime, but this is collective punishment. Not good at all. 😔
First, they blocked Venezuela, now Iran. It's a pattern of trying to control oil supplies. But here's the thing — India has a right to trade with whoever we want, including Iran. We shouldn't be dictated to by anyone, be it US or China. We need a foreign policy that puts India first
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.