US Forces Redirect 118 Vessels and Disable Five as Iran Blockade Intensifies

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Sunday that American forces have intercepted and redirected 118 commercial vessels since the enforcement of a naval blockade on Iran began on April 13. Military officials reported that five additional vessels were disabled during the operation, signaling a total shutdown of maritime access to Iranian coastal facilities. Operational Scope and Interventions The blockade targets all maritime traffic navigating toward or departing from Iranian ports. According to the CENTCOM statement, the 118 redirected ships were forced to alter their course after attempting to breach the exclusion zone. The five disabled vessels were neutralized following unspecified maritime encounters, though the military did not detail the specific cargo or origin of the ships involved. Escalation in Regional Waters This enforcement action marks an intensification of U.S. naval operations in the Middle East. CENTCOM maintains that the blockade will remain in effect indefinitely, prohibiting all commercial and industrial shipping from entering Iranian territorial waters. The military command warned that any vessel attempting to circumvent the restriction risks…