U.S. Central Command Diverts 35 Vessels Since Mid-July Iran Port Blockade

U.S. Central Command — known as CENTCOM — confirmed on Sunday that American forces have maintained strict enforcement of the maritime blockade on Iranian ports since mid-July.

The command stated in an official release that, as of 2 August, U.S. forces had altered the course of 35 commercial ships, disrupted operations aboard two vessels, and boarded two additional ships to verify full compliance with the sanctions-related maritime restrictions targeting Iran.

Commercial Vessel Transit Through Hormuz Under U.S. Support

CENTCOM previously affirmed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) holds no authority to impose designated navigation routes for international commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The command emphasized that commercial vessels continue transiting the strait with U.S. military support.

Strait of Hormuz as an International Waterway

In a statement posted on the X platform, CENTCOM described the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway.

The command noted that the IRGC continues asserting that international commercial vessels and their crews must follow maritime routes preferred by the IRGC — assertions made following threats and attempted targeting of commercial ships and their crews while transiting the strait.