U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says U.S. forces operating in the Middle East as part of regional security missions have taken multiple actions against commercial shipping linked to Iran. CENTCOM reports that, as of 28 July, U.S. forces redirected 18 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz/region under its naval blockade operations. The command also says U.S. forces disabled two ships that allegedly did not comply with repeated warnings. In addition, CENTCOM states that American personnel boarded and inspected two other commercial vessels to verify compliance with blockade regulations before allowing them to continue their voyages.
CENTCOM further states that more than 20 U.S. Navy warships are currently operating in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, supporting ongoing maritime security missions related to the blockade. The accounts describe these actions as part of enforcement efforts using warnings, inspections, and, where necessary, disabling non-compliant vessels, while maintaining that inspections and boarding are intended to determine whether shipping complies with the blockade rules.
