The U.S. resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports, oil terminals, and coastal areas Tuesday as hostilities flared following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed between the adversaries last month. The blockade applies to vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports regardless of the flag they fly. “U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET,” U.S. Central Command wrote on X. “There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
The blockade resumed as the U.S. military launched several strikes on Iran and Tehran responded with attacks on U.S. allies in the region. About an hour before the blockade began, CENTCOM wrote on X that U.S. forces “began launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” “The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas,” CENTCOM wrote.
