CENTCOM says it redirected 53 commercial vessels amid US blockade against Iran
Washington, DC, August 9
US Central Command on Saturday said it has redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled and boarded two each as part of the "blockade against Iran".
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."
On Sunday, CENTCOM redirected 35 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two others as the US blockade against Iran continues.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said its forces continue to enforce the naval blockade that was reimposed on Iran last month.
The command also shared footage of a US Marine Corps F-35C stealth fighter jet launching from the USS Abraham Lincoln as the aircraft carrier transited the Arabian Sea in support of the blockade.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C stealth fighter jet launches from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as the aircraft carrier transits the Arabian Sea and supports the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 2, CENTCOM has redirected 35 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2."
Meanwhile, 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.
Speaking to Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany on 'Saturday in America', Vance said the plan includes Iran's commitment not to fire on commercial ships, he says, adding that Tehran informed Washington it would allow the maximum flow of oil through the strait, but "we don't trust it".
"We're talking to the Iranians, of course. We're trying to maximise the amount of oil and gas that is coming out of the Strait of Hormuz," Vance said.
"We're just trying to make sure that we get what we need out of this particular conflict," he added.
Vance said the US would continue to apply pressure on Iran, while seeking broader changes in Tehran's relationship with Washington. "We've destroyed their nuclear program, we've destroyed their conventional military, we've radically reduced their asymmetric military abilities," Vance said.
He added that the US is now assessing whether Iran is willing to make "the kind of long-term changes that would be necessary to have a better relationship with the United States".
"And if not, that's fine too," Vance said. "We're just going to keep on applying the pressure that we can apply and getting as much oil and gas out of the Middle East so that Americans can enjoy lower gas and energy prices," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see how the US talks about "humanitarian aid" while simultaneously boarding and disabling ships. Seems a bit contradictory to me. Where does international law stand on all this?
As an Indian, I'm just concerned about our diaspora in the Gulf region. We have millions of Indians working there. This kind of military action creates instability in the region. Hope everyone stays safe. 🙏
The US Vice President literally said "getting as much oil as possible so Americans can enjoy lower gas prices" — that pretty much sums up foreign policy priorities. Blatant self-interest at the cost of global stability. India should stay out of this mess and protect our own interests.
Blockades like this always have consequences for neutral nations. As someone who studies international trade, this will definitely affect supply chains globally. Interested to see how India and other countries respond diplomatically to this.
Classic American foreign policy — talk about "humanitarian aid" while flexing military power. They boarded 53 ships! And the VP openly admits it's about getting cheap oil for American consumers. This is exactly why India should diversify from oil dependence and strengthen ties with Russia and other alternate suppliers.
This is getting scary. First the strikes on Iran's nuclear program, now a naval blockade? And 30 ships allowed for "human
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