US military: Sanctions prevented Iran from exporting 30 billion barrels of oil

Washington, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that the naval blockade imposed on Iran has prevented it from exporting approximately 30 billion barrels of oil, emphasizing that the U.S. military continues to enforce this blockade in parallel with efforts to prevent the Iranian Revolutionary Guard from transporting weapons and military technologies via land routes and the Caspian Sea.

In a statement on the X platform, CENTCOM said U.S. forces are working around the clock in coordination with various relevant government agencies to prevent the Revolutionary Guard from using land transport routes and the Caspian Sea to move advanced weapon systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal financial transfers.

The statement added that U.S. forces “assisted approximately 4,000 ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while the volume of oil shipped through the strait reached 1.7 billion barrels,” noting that the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting around 30 billion barrels of oil.

It clarified that U.S. measures since last July have resulted in the diversion of 150 ships and the disruption of five ships, emphasizing that “no ship is allowed to enter or leave Iranian ports without authorization from the U.S. military.”

CENTCOM confirmed that the main navigation channels in the Strait of Hormuz are free of mines, as part of efforts to ensure the continued flow of commercial navigation through the strait.

Last week, U.S. Central Command announced the launch of a task force aimed at disrupting Iranian land transport routes used for illegal shipments.

In a statement, CENTCOM said Central Command Commander Brad Cooper issued directives to establish a task force to support U.S. government efforts to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials. (End) A.M.M. / H.S.S.