The U.S. Navy has completely halted Iran's maritime trade. This was announced by the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper. According to him, the blockade was implemented in less than 36 hours. "We have completely stopped maritime trade to and from Iran. Our forces maintain naval superiority in the Middle East," Cooper stated. He also noted that about 90% of Iran's economy depends on international trade by sea. Meanwhile, according to Wall Street Journal sources, an American destroyer intercepted 8 oil tankers heading to and from Iranian ports since the start of the blockade, and all tankers complied with U.S. orders to change course. An American official told Associated Press that "the strategy is based on monitoring ships as they leave Iran, intercepting them, and forcing them to return." U.S. Central Command in a post on X confirmed that destroyers equipped with guided missiles are among the military assets participating in the blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade applies to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian coasts and ports.
