IranWire, an Iranian opposition news site, reports that U.S. Central Command has significantly escalated its naval siege of Iran in recent days. According to the site's sources, CENTCOM warnings now extend beyond ships entering or exiting Iranian ports to include vessels traveling between Iranian ports within territorial waters. Ships moving between Bandar Abbas and Sirik were reportedly warned to halt or face attack. The report is unverified and no official U.S. confirmation has been issued.
The report from IranWire, an Iranian opposition outlet, alleges a significant escalation in the U.S. naval siege of Iran over the past two days. According to the site's unnamed sources, CENTCOM warnings are now being issued to vessels sailing between Iranian ports within territorial waters, not only to ships attempting to enter or leave the country. Specifically, ships traveling between Bandar Abbas and Sirik—a route entirely within Iran's territorial sea—were warned to halt their voyages and threatened with attack if they continued.
The report is unconfirmed and no U.S. official has commented. If true, it would mark a substantial broadening of the maritime blockade. Previously, the siege was focused on interdicting external trade to and from Iranian ports. CENTCOM has publicly confirmed disabling vessels attempting to breach the blockade and has conducted airstrikes against Iranian coastal infrastructure. The Zioneer has covered multiple developments in this ongoing standoff, including CENTCOM's confirmation of strikes on Iranian radar and communications sites, and the interdiction of vessels attempting to circumvent the siege.
The reported expansion to internal shipping would effectively place Iran's entire maritime domain—both external and domestic—under U.S. threat, a move with significant implications for Iranian logistics and the regional balance of power.
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