(CENTCOM): 125 Commercial Ships Redirected Since Resumption of Blockade on Iranian Ports

Washington, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it had redirected 125 commercial vessels since the resumption of the U.S. embargo on Iranian ports in mid-July. CENTCOM said in a statement that, as of September 30, U.S. forces had altered the course of 125 commercial ships, halted three vessels, and inspected two others to ensure full compliance with the embargo on Iran. The statement affirmed that U.S. forces continue to tightly enforce the naval embargo on Iranian ports. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper recently stated in an operational update that U.S. forces had helped ensure the safe passage of more than one billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months. He added that while U.S. forces continue to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe,” they are simultaneously preventing Iran from exporting any oil shipments from its ports, emphasizing that the naval embargo on Iran remains “active and strong” and is achieving its objectives. (End) A.M.M. / M.A.H.A.