U.S. Forces Tighten Maritime Blockade on Iran, Redirect 29 Vessels

22/04/2026

U.S. Forces Tighten Maritime Blockade on Iran, Redirect 29 Vessels

CENTCOM, Apr 22: U.S. forces have intensified enforcement of a maritime blockade targeting Iran, directing 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of ongoing operations, according to military-related statements.

In response to recent media reports claiming that several commercial ships had evaded the blockade, U.S. sources dismissed the claims as inaccurate, clarifying the status of multiple vessels cited in the coverage.

Officials stated that the tankers M/V Hero II and M/V Hedy did not successfully pass through any blockade corridor and are currently anchored at Chabahar after being intercepted earlier this week. They further noted that another vessel, M/V Dorena, remains under escort by a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean following an attempted breach of blockade restrictions.

Military officials emphasized that reports suggesting successful evasion of the blockade are false, insisting that all monitored movements are under active surveillance and control.

They added that the U.S. military continues to enforce the blockade across a wide operational area, underscoring what they described as its “global reach,” with assets deployed throughout the Middle East and beyond to prevent sanctioned maritime activity.