US Says Its Blockade Against Iran Has Redirected 100 Vessels

By Paul Burkhardt

May 23, 2026 (Bloomberg) –US forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels during its six-week-long blockade of Iran’s ports, Central Command said.

The mission, supported by more than 200 aircraft and warships including two carrier strike groups and multiple guided-missile destroyers, started enforcing the blockade on April 13 “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,” CENTCOM said in a post on X Saturday.

The mission has “squeezed Iran economically,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said. The blockade