CENTCOM: 96 commercial vessels rerouted since resumption of blockade on Iranian ports

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that it had rerouted 96 commercial vessels since the resumption of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports in mid-July.

In a statement, CENTCOM said that U.S. forces had rerouted 96 commercial ships, halted three vessels, and inspected two others to ensure full compliance with the sanctions imposed on Iran.

The statement added that U.S. forces had allowed the passage of at least 50 ships for humanitarian reasons, while reiterating that the naval blockade on Iranian ports remained strictly enforced.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper had previously stated in a declaration that U.S. forces had not permitted Iran to export any oil from its coastlines since the resumption of the blockade.

Cooper emphasized that the naval blockade on Iran remained “active and strong” and was achieving its objectives, stressing that no vessel had entered or departed from an Iranian port without U.S. military authorization, and that passage was restricted solely to humanitarian cases.