CENTCOM: 59 commercial vessels rerouted since the imposition of sanctions on Iranian ports

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it had rerouted 59 commercial vessels since the commencement of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. In a statement, CENTCOM said that U.S. forces, as of August 12, had rerouted 59 commercial ships, halted three vessels, and boarded two others to ensure full compliance with the sanctions imposed on Iran. CENTCOM had previously stated on Monday that it had allowed approximately 35 ships to pass through the blockade zone since the sanctions began to transport humanitarian aid. The statement affirmed that U.S. forces have been rigorously enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-July. Notably, U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade on ships bound for Iranian ports and coastal areas, or departing from them, starting July 14, in response to attacks on commercial vessels and the obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.