CENTCOM says U.S. forces redirect 12 vessels amid Iran blockade  

U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli arriving in the Central Command area of responsibility on March 27, 2026. – AP
U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli arriving in the Central Command area of responsibility on March 27, 2026. – AP

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – U.S. forces redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to breach a naval blockade against Iran and disabled two others that failed to comply, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday.

As of July 25, U.S. forces also boarded two vessels as part of efforts to enforce the blockade, CENTCOM said in a statement.

Earlier on Sunday, U.S. forces completed a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea. The tanker was subsequently allowed to continue its journey, according to CENTCOM.

On July 24, U.S. forces disabled the Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly attempted multiple times to violate the blockade and ignored repeated warnings.

The vessel is no longer transiting to Iran, CENTCOM added.

The statement did not provide further details on the nature of the blockade or the circumstances surrounding the redirected vessels.

CENTCOM pointed out that U.S. forces remain “highly vigilant” and ready to respond to attempts to breach the blockade.

By Jwan Shekaki