WASHINGTON: The US military has intercepted or redirected 83 commercial ships as part of its naval blockade of Iran, while three ships have been disabled and two others boarded, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a post on X, CENTCOM said the figures were recorded as of August 30, as the USS Delbert D. Black operated in the Arabian Sea as part of efforts to enforce the blockade.
A U.S. Sailor directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the flight deck of USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) while the ship sails in the Arabian Sea enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 30, CENTCOM forces have redirected 83 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded… pic.twitter.com/RDLoXFRXpJ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 30, 2026
The US military said the operation is focused on ships travelling to or from Iranian ports, while other commercial maritime traffic is permitted to continue operating.
Washington resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas in July, following an earlier blockade that was in effect from April through June.
The latest enforcement measures come amid the broader US-Iran conflict and heightened tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors for energy supplies.
The waterway connects the Arabian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea, making disruptions to commercial shipping there a major concern for global energy markets.
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CENTCOM has also conducted military strikes against Iranian capabilities that Washington says pose a threat to commercial shipping and maritime security.
The reported interception of dozens of commercial ships marks a significant expansion of the US naval effort to enforce restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iran.
The boarding of two ships and disabling of three others could further heighten concerns among international shipping operators about the risks of navigating the region.
The US military’s actions come as Washington continues to exert military and economic pressure on Tehran, while Iran remains a key player in the security of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
