Washington: The US military announced that it has redirected dozens of commercial vessels attempting to access Iranian ports as part of an ongoing naval blockade. This move is part of Washington’s continuing efforts to enforce restrictions against Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that 65 commercial ships have been redirected and four disabled in the course of the operation. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is actively participating in these operations in the Arabian Sea, maintaining the US blockade against Iran, as confirmed through a post on the US social media platform X.

Tensions in the region have intensified following joint strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, which led to Iranian retaliation against Israel and US allies in the Gulf. This escalation also resulted in the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was mediated by Pakistan, taking effect on April 8, although negotiations in Islamabad did not yield a long-term resolution.

US President Donald Trump later announced that the ceasefire would remain indefinitely, despite ongoing military tensions and maritime restrictions in the Gulf. The naval blockade has been in place since April 13. Last week, CENTCOM reported the US had prevented 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports. These tankers had a combined capacity of over 166 million barrels of Iranian oil, valued at more than $13 billion.