US blocks over 140 Iranian ships in Strait of Hormuz
Photo: US military forces have intercepted over 140 vessels (Getty Images)
The US military has intercepted 141 Iranian vessels since the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began. Some of them have been disabled, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Background
According to the command, as of June 13, US forces had intercepted 141 merchant ships linked to Iran.
CENTCOM clarifies that the blockade applies to ships from all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports.
This covers:
- All Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf
- Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman
- Iran’s coastal areas.
At the same time, conditions remain unchanged for other vessels. The command emphasizes that the international trade corridor remains open for transit.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all types of vessels amid the resumption of US strikes and has threatened to attack any ship attempting to pass through this route. The US, for its part, stated that commercial shipping through the strait has not been suspended.
Iran has booby-trapped storage facilities containing enriched uranium and collapsed the tunnels where the stockpiles are kept, which will complicate the implementation of a potential agreement with the US regarding the removal of the material.
