Overview
- CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces have redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two while more than 20 U.S. warships operate in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to enforce the blockade.
- The operation resumed in mid-July and has sharply increased its tempo, moving from a handful of redirections to sustained interdictions across the shipping lanes, CENTCOM said.
- U.S. ships use three main measures: forcing vessels to change course away from Iranian ports, rendering noncompliant ships unable to proceed, and boarding to inspect cargo and documents, and CENTCOM has warned it may intercept or seize ships that refuse orders.
- Recent interdictions targeted vessels flying open registries, including the tankers Belma (Curaçao flag) and Lavine (Mozambique flag) that were disabled and the Comoros-flagged Charminar that was boarded, illustrating how flags of convenience are used in sanctions evasion.
- The campaign is already raising costs and risks for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters, pushing up insurance and freight rates, tightening oil market sentiment and increasing the chance of Iranian retaliation or wider regional escalation while some humanitarian shipments have been allowed safe passage.