U.S. naval forces have effectively blocked Iranian trade through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“An effective blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented, while U.S. forces maintain maritime dominance in the Middle East,” said CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“Within less than 36 hours of the blockade’s implementation, U.S. forces have completely stopped all economic traffic entering and leaving Iran via sea,” Cooper added.
The Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed U.S. officials, previously reported that more than 20 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, had passed through the strait in the past 24 hours. According to AFP, at least two sanctioned vessels sailed through Hormuz on Monday: the Iranian-flagged container ship Kashan and the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis.
The WSJ also reported that the U.S. has seized eight tankers since the start of the blockade on Monday morning.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade of the vital waterway on Sunday after Pakistan-mediated talks failed to produce a peace agreement with Iran.
Earlier, Trump had failed to convince NATO European members to help secure Hormuz, which Iran had previously declared closed to “enemy vessels” in response to the U.S.-Israel bombing campaign launched on February 28. Since then, Iran has demanded recognition of its “sovereignty” over the waterway and the right to impose tolls.
On April 8, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, raising hopes of ending a conflict that has disrupted global trade and pushed energy prices higher. However, both sides have since accused each other of presenting unacceptable conditions.
