WASHINGTON: The United States military said on Wednesday it had redirected two commercial vessels since reinstating its naval blockade of Iranian ports, as fighting between Washington and Tehran intensified amid concerns over the security of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the vessels were redirected after President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of the blockade, accusing Iran of continuing attacks on commercial shipping despite a ceasefire arrangement reached last month.
Since restarting the naval blockade against Iranian ports 17 hours ago, U.S. forces have redirected 2 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade. The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance. pic.twitter.com/E00JAlmBua
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
The blockade resumed at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday on Trump’s orders, CENTCOM said in a post on X.
“There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East,” the command said. “American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET.
There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain… pic.twitter.com/ATRJHlLQNo
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
Commercial shipping under threat
CENTCOM said Iran had attacked seven commercial vessels during the past week, leaving nearly a dozen crew members dead, injured or missing.
“US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement posted on X.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/epNbgbDaOP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
The military did not identify the two commercial vessels that were redirected or provide further operational details.
According to CENTCOM, the latest blockade follows repeated Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and is aimed at protecting civilian vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.
The blockade had previously been imposed in mid-April and remained in place for about two months before being lifted under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran signed last month.
That agreement extended a ceasefire by 60 days, required Washington to end its naval blockade and committed Iran to ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping.
However, following attacks on several vessels over the past week, President Trump declared the ceasefire “over” and ordered military operations and the blockade to resume.
Also Read: Oil Prices Rise as US Reimposes Iranian Ports Blockade
During the earlier blockade, CENTCOM said it redirected more than 140 commercial ships and struck vessels that it said failed to comply with US instructions. It added that dozens of humanitarian aid shipments were permitted to continue.
Fresh US strikes against Iran
The renewed blockade came as the US military continued its air campaign against Iran.
CENTCOM said it carried out strikes lasting around 90 minutes on Wednesday morning after conducting another seven-hour operation overnight.
The command said dozens of Iranian targets, including missile sites, drone facilities and coastal defence systems, were struck on Tuesday evening.
It said the objective was to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews”.
The latest operation marked the fourth consecutive night of US strikes on Iranian military targets, according to CENTCOM.
Iran’s army said seven military personnel were killed in a US missile strike on a barracks near the southeastern city of Iranshahr.
In a statement, the army said the attack targeted a military installation in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.
