Kamal Ghorui
The US military on Thursday said it had turned back 10 vessels attempting to leave Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of its naval blockade, even as maritime tracking data suggested some ships may have initially crossed the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on X, US Central Command said, “Ten vessels have now been turned around, and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday.” The latest figure includes an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that was “redirected” by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) after it attempted to evade the blockade on Wednesday.According to the US military, the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel had departed Bandar Abbas, exited the strait, and was transiting along Iran’s coastline before being forced to turn back. CENTCOM had earlier reported nine vessels being turned around, before adding the 10th interception.However, maritime tracking data appeared to complicate the US account. Data from Tuesday indicated that at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the strait, with some later reversing course. These vessels were among at least seven Iran-linked ships that transited the waterway after the blockade came into effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler.US officials maintain that the blockade is enforced beyond the strait, in the Gulf of Oman, meaning vessels may pass through the chokepoint but still face interception later.The full maritime blockade was announced by the Trump administration after negotiations in Islamabad failed, and is aimed at halting sea trade linked to Iran in a bid to increase pressure on Tehran. US Central Command said it is being enforced “impartially against all vessels of all nations” entering or leaving Iranian ports, with naval forces prepared to compel compliance. Tehran’s forces have largely restricted maritime traffic through the strategic energy chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, since the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel began on 28 February, amid escalating regional tensions.According to the New York Post, however, diplomatic talks between the US and Iran aimed at ending the conflict that is currently under a fragile ceasefire could resume later this week in Pakistan, even as the blockade remains in effect and tensions continue to flare.
