WASHINGTON: US forces have redirected 101 commercial vessels as part of efforts to enforce a blockade against Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday.
According to CENTCOM, the vessels were redirected to ensure compliance with the US blockade, with the figure recorded as of September 13.The US military command also released footage showing a US sailor signalling to the pilot of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of the USS John Paul Jones, a guided-missile destroyer involved in operations to enforce the blockade.
The development comes amid heightened tensions across the region, with commercial maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz facing growing disruption.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key international shipping route and an important transit corridor for global energy supplies.
Continued restrictions or disruptions to vessel movements could further intensify concerns over regional trade and energy markets.