US Forces 50 Ships to Change Course in Relation to Iran Blockade

Washington (ANTARA) - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) states that the US military has forced 50 commercial ships to change course in order to comply with the naval blockade of Iran’s waters and ports.

“Up to today, fifty commercial ships have been diverted by US forces to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM said via the X platform on Monday.

On 13 April, the US Navy began blockading all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz.

Nevertheless, Washington states that non-Iranian ships remain free to pass through the strait as long as they do not pay tolls to Tehran, while the Iranian side has not announced the implementation of such tolls, although the idea was previously discussed.

Previously, US President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, an operation to assist ships that are impeded in the Strait of Hormuz and wish to leave the area.

The operation began on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Iranian media IRIB reported that the Iranian military prevented US ships from passing through those waterways by firing two missiles at one US warship, but this claim was later denied by CENTCOM.

Trump also threatened Iran with destructive consequences if Tehran attempts to attack US ships near the strait.