The United States announced this Sunday that it had diverted 61 commercial vessels and immobilized four others in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a naval operation aimed at enforcing the blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
The measure was announced by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) amid heightened tensions with Tehran and following several military incidents recorded in the region in recent weeks.
In a statement released on social media, CENTCOM stated that the actions were carried out to "ensure compliance" with the maritime restrictions imposed on Iran. The operation is taking place in one of the world's most sensitive energy corridors, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil flows.
The U.S. military command indicated that more than 20 warships are currently participating in the naval operation deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The mission includes tasks such as surveillance, interception, and control of maritime traffic heading to Iranian ports.
Washington had announced the start of a blockade on Iranian maritime access nearly a month ago. According to CENTCOM, the restrictions are applied "impartially" to vessels from any country entering or leaving port facilities controlled by Iran.
The measure came after a period of heightened military tensions between the two countries, despite a ceasefire that began on April 8th.
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The USS Spruance destroyer intercepted the Iranian cargo ship M/V Touska in the Arabian Sea during an operation linked to the maritime blockade imposed by the United States (REUTERS/Archive). The United States reported this Sunday that it diverted 61 commercial vessels and immobilized four others in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a naval operation aimed at enforcing the blockade imposed on Iranian ports. The measure was announced by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) amid tensions with Tehran and after several military incidents recorded in the region in recent weeks. In a statement released on social media, CENTCOM said that the actions were carried out to "ensure compliance" with the maritime restrictions imposed on Iran. The operation is taking place in one of the world's most sensitive energy corridors, through which nearly a fifth of global oil flows. The US military command indicated that more than 20 warships are currently participating in the naval operation deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The mission includes surveillance, interception, and control of maritime traffic to Iranian ports. Washington announced the start of a blockade on Iranian maritime access almost a month ago. According to CENTCOM, the restrictions are applied "impartially" to vessels from any country entering or leaving ports controlled by Iran. An image released by CENTCOM shows the USS Rafael Peralta during the interception of an Iranian ship in waters near the Gulf of Oman. The measure occurred after the military escalation between the two countries despite the ceasefire that began on April 8. Tehran claims that US actions represent a breach of that truce and has repeatedly accused Washington of aggravating the regional crisis. US naval operations have intensified, especially in the past week. On Friday, US forces attacked two Iranian oil tankers as they attempted to approach a port in the Gulf of Oman, according to CENTCOM. According to the US military version, an aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush fired precision ammunition at the smokestacks of both vessels to prevent them from entering Iranian waters. The United States said that the ships were disabled and abandoned their course towards Iranian territory. The US military also reported that another Iranian oil tanker had been disabled days earlier in the same maritime corridor. CENTCOM stated that the affected vessels were violating the provisions of the current naval blockade. "The commitment of US forces in the Middle East remains the full implementation of the blockade," said CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper in an official statement released after the incidents. The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush was deployed in the Middle East as part of the US military reinforcement amid the crisis with Iran. According to previously released figures from the military command, the operation had already affected dozens of commercial vessels. Official US data indicated that 73 oil tankers were blocked and unable to transport Iranian crude, while more than 50 ships had been diverted from their original route. US military officials said that the deployment in the region includes more than 15,000 soldiers, about 200 aircraft, and a large fleet consisting of destroyers, aircraft carriers, reconnaissance aircraft, and drones. From Tehran, the Iranian regime denounced that the attacks and the maritime blockade constitute an "illegal" action and a direct violation of the ceasefire reached weeks ago. Iranian officials also warned that US operations affect the safety of international navigation in Ormuz. The situation in the Strait continues to be one of the main global tension hotspots due to its impact on the international energy market. The conflict also keeps shipping companies and oil-importing countries on alert, which depend on transit through that maritime route. At the same time, indirect negotiations continue between Washington and Tehran to try to reach an agreement that would reduce military tensions and restore maritime trade in the area. From Tehran, the Iranian regime denounced that the attacks and the maritime blockade constitute an "illegal" action and a direct violation of the ceasefire reached weeks ago. The Iranian agency Tasnim reported this Sunday that the proposal sent by Iran to the United States includes demands to lift economic sanctions, end the naval blockade, and guarantee the safety of navigation in the Strait of Ormuz before moving towards new negotiations. (With information from EFE and Europa Press)