WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has stepped up enforcement of its naval blockade against Iran, with American forces intercepting commercial shipping in a move aimed at increasing economic pressure on Tehran and compelling it towards renewed negotiations.
In a statement posted on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US Marine Corps aviation assets and personnel aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) are supporting the ongoing blockade operations in waters surrounding Iran.
U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets and personnel embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) support ongoing enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 6, CENTCOM redirected 49 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. pic.twitter.com/tbdPdKe7RH
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 6, 2026
According to CENTCOM, as of August 6, US forces had redirected 49 commercial vessels, disabled two vessels, and boarded two others as part of the enforcement campaign.
Washington says the blockade is intended to prevent commercial ships from using Iranian ports, thereby reducing the revenue Tehran earns from port services and maritime transit.
US officials believe limiting these financial flows will increase economic pressure on the Iranian government and encourage it to return to negotiations.
CENTCOM did not identify the vessels involved, specify where the operations took place, or provide further details on the circumstances under which the ships were redirected, disabled or boarded.
The latest measures come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following months of regional instability and continued disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader security concerns.
Iran has not immediately commented on CENTCOM’s latest announcement. Tehran has previously condemned US military actions in the region, describing them as unlawful and accusing Washington of escalating tensions in strategically important waterways.
The United States has maintained that its maritime operations are designed to enforce its strategic objectives and restrict Iran’s ability to generate revenue from international shipping while diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
READ ALSO: US Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports Underway: CENTCOM
Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan on Thursday expressed hope that the potential agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz would help resume talks between Tehran and Washington under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to permanently end the Middle East conflict.
“We hope that the agreement on the Strait will pave the way for continuing dialogue, particularly the resumption of technical-level talks between Iran and the United States,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a weekly news briefing in Islamabad.
The spokesperson’s remarks came as Iranian officials said Tehran and Muscat had reached an understanding on a new shipping route through the strategically important waterway and were finalising arrangements for its joint management.
