U.S. Blockade Tightens on Iran as CENTCOM Reports 42 Vessels Turned Back

The campaign seeks to cut off Tehran’s oil income by stranding tankers and stepping up ship seizures.

Overview

U.S. Central Command said its forces have redirected 42 commercial ships that tried to breach the maritime blockade on Iran.
CENTCOM estimated 41 tankers now hold about 69 million barrels of Iranian oil that cannot be sold, which it valued at more than $6 billion in lost revenue.
Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea during a blockade enforcement operation.
The Blue Star III action follows prior seizures, including the M/V Touska, with U.S. officials saying seized ships remain in American custody.
President Trump said he will keep the blockade in place until Iran accepts U.S. terms, while Tehran denounced the moves as piracy and warned of a response that could raise risks for crews transiting the Strait of Hormuz.