CENTCOM Maintains Iran Blockade Despite Near-Final Peace Deal

Washington - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that it continues to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports and waters amid the possibility of reaching a peace agreement with Iran. “US Navy warships and air assets continue to patrol regional waters to blockade Iran,” CENTCOM said on the social media platform X on Friday. Additionally, CENTCOM noted that to date they have forced 136 vessels to change course amid the imposed blockade, and disabled nine ships. In late February, the United States and Israel launched military aggression against a number of targets in Iran, including Tehran, resulting in damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East. Subsequently, on 7 April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire which officially remains in effect. However, the US continues to enforce the blockade against Iranian ports and waters, while Iran has imposed special transit rules through the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, peace negotiations are still ongoing between Iran and the US, with both countries attempting to agree on a draft framework for a memorandum of understanding. Both sides still occasionally launch sporadic attacks against each other.