U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that its forces have ordered 45 commercial vessels to change course, disabled two, and boarded two additional vessels to ensure compliance with the naval blockade, according to a report by Channel 12.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has updated its maritime enforcement figures, reporting that 45 commercial vessels have been diverted, two disabled, and two boarded as part of the ongoing naval blockade on Iran, according to a Channel 12 report citing CENTCOM. The new figures, which represent the highest count reported since the blockade was renewed, mark an increase from the previous tally of 35 vessels diverted that The Zioneer reported on July 31.
The thread of this story illustrates the escalation of the interdiction campaign. On July 31, The Zioneer reported that CENTCOM had initially stated 30 vessels had been diverted, based on a ynet report. Later that same day, the figure was updated to 35. A subsequent CENTCOM update confirmed that two vessels had been disabled and two boarded, and noted the deployment of an F-35C stealth fighter from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Separately, CENTCOM announced that 44 ships had been turned back in the Strait of Hormuz, with audio recordings of its forces addressing vessels attempting to transit the strait. The source quality has evolved from initial ynet reports to direct CENTCOM statements cited by Channel 12 and N12.
The naval blockade, aimed at preventing Iranian oil exports, has been in effect since late February 2026, as The Zioneer has previously reported. The U.S. has conducted precision strikes on vessels attempting to breach the blockade, including the disabling of the M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, as reported by The Zioneer on June 10. CENTCOM has stated that the siege remains strictly enforced pending a memorandum of understanding with Iran.
The relationship between the two sets of figures — the 45 vessels diverted and the 44 ships turned back in the Strait — remains unclear, as they may overlap. Additionally, the time period covered by the latest figures has not been specified, and direct CENTCOM confirmation of the updated count was not provided in the Channel 12 report.
4 developments
- StrongCENTCOM: 22 commercial vessels interdicted in maritime enforcement campaign
- StrongCENTCOM: 12 commercial vessels diverted, 1 disabled in naval siege update
- StrongCENTCOM says it has interdicted 9 vessels and turned back 136 more since naval siege on Iran began
- DevelopingCENTCOM: Six commercial vessels diverted from course in Strait of Hormuz yesterday
Source and signal
- Open-source intake