The United States Navy has seized 38 merchant vessels linked to Iran as part of an ongoing maritime blockade in the region.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released details regarding the naval operations. According to the statement, U.S. forces have been actively restricting entry and exit to Iranian ports to ensure compliance with international sanctions.
CENTCOM officials noted that the naval forces have issued direct orders to the sanctioned vessels to either turn back or return to their ports of origin. The command emphasized that operations against ships violating the sanctions regime will continue indefinitely. Security measures across the region's strategic waterways have been significantly strengthened, with continuous surveillance being maintained by naval assets.
This escalation in maritime enforcement follows the strategic directives of US President Donald Trump, whose administration has prioritized the disruption of illicit trade routes in the Middle East. The blockade aims to limit the economic reach of sanctioned entities while maintaining stability in vital corridors such as the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Such operations are a key component of the broader U.S. strategy to monitor and control maritime traffic in high-tension zones.
