U.S. Turns Back Nine Ships as Iran Port Blockade Holds, Tankers Test Limits

The United States says its maritime blockade of Iranian ports is continuing to hold, with U.S. Central Command reporting that nine vessels have been turned back in the first 48 hours of enforcement and no ships have successfully entered or exited Iranian ports by sea.

In a statement, CENTCOM said the vessels “complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area,” building on earlier figures from the first day of the operation when six ships were ordered to reverse course.

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” said Adm.