ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that its forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels as part of a blockade targeting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM said its forces “reached the milestone of redirecting 100 commercial vessels, May 23, while enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran,” which began on April 13.
The blockade has caused major disruptions to Iran’s economy amid reports of raw material shortages across the country.
The measures remain in place despite the halt in the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began in late February and continued until April 8, when a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire temporarily halted hostilities to pave the way for negotiations on a permanent truce.
Diplomatic mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar have intensified in recent days, though no final agreement has yet been reached.
“Over the past six weeks, more than 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have redirected 100 vessels, disabled four, and allowed 26 humanitarian aid ships to pass,” CENTCOM said, adding that around 200 US aircraft and warships are supporting the mission.
“The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that more than 30 ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Wednesday under the coordination and protection of its navy despite the US naval blockade.
CENTCOM cited its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, as saying US forces have allowed “zero trade into and out of Iranian ports which has squeezed Iran economically.”
On Friday, separate Pakistani and Qatari delegations arrived in Tehran as part of mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at securing a permanent truce.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state media that as part of the negotiations, “There has been a trend towards reducing issues of disagreement,” adding that the sides are “close to a draft” agreement.
Baghaei added that Iran’s nuclear program “is not being discussed and is among the issues that will be discussed later.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday at a NATO summit in Sweden that there has been “some slight progress” in negotiations with Iran, while reiterating the US position that “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”