(CENTCOM): 133 commercial ships redirected since resumption of blockade on Iranian ports

Washington, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday the redirection of 133 commercial vessels as part of the strict enforcement of the ongoing U.S. naval blockade on Iran. In a statement, CENTCOM said that U.S. forces had altered the course of 133 commercial ships and detained three vessels that refused to comply with orders through October 9. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, in an operational update, emphasized that the U.S. military is intensifying its efforts to enforce the blockade on Iranian ports, warning that U.S. forces would swiftly act against any ships attempting to breach the blockade. Cooper recently stated on the X platform that U.S. forces had helped ensure the safe transit 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 secure,” they are simultaneously preventing Iran from exporting any oil shipments from its ports, affirming that the naval blockade on Iran remains “active and strong” and is achieving its objectives. (End) A.M.M / M.M.J