US diverts 52 Iran-linked vessels as naval blockade holds: CENTCOM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Fifty-two commercial vessels linked to Iran have been diverted or ordered to turn back by US forces, including an Iranian-flagged “unladen oil tanker” attempting to transit toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday, affirming that the naval blockade on Iran remains “in full effect.”

“So far, 52 commercial vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port in order to comply,” CENTCOM said in a statement on X.

In a separate post, the Command said US forces operating in the Gulf of Oman “enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port” on the same day.

The vessel, identified as the Motor Tanker Hasna, had been transiting international waters en route to an Iranian port, CENTCOM added. However, “American forces issued multiple warnings,” informing the vessel “it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” and after its crew failed to comply, US forces “”disabled the tanker’s rudder.”

CENTCOM said that “Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran,” and that “the U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect.”

The US and Israel launched a wide scale aerial campaign against Iran on February 28, striking more than 17,000 sites across the country over six weeks of hostilities before the sides agreed to a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8. The truce halted fighting for two weeks and paved the way for negotiations.

While the first round of talks concluded without a final agreement on April 11, a second round has yet to take place, with a comprehensive resolution to the conflict still pending.

In parallel with the diplomatic efforts, Iran and the US have engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures. Tehran has tightened its grip on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington initiated a maritime blockade on Iranian ports on April 13.

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump ordered a temporary halt to a naval operation - Project Freedom - launched on Monday to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the need to allow time to determine whether a final agreement with Iran can be completed and signed.

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