US Warships Prepare for Naval Blockade of Iran Awaiting Trump's Order

US officials informed the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that American warships stationed in the Middle East are preparing to reimpose a naval blockade on Iran.

The officials told the newspaper, "Our warships remain on alert to reinstate the blockade on Iranian ports if President Donald Trump decides to proceed."

Currently, Trump is in Turkey attending a NATO summit, where he held a meeting in Ankara with the defense and foreign ministers, the chief of staff, and military leaders to discuss a new US strike plan against Iran, which he approved.

On Wednesday dawn, the US military launched a series of powerful and extensive strikes targeting multiple locations in Iran, including military and logistical sites, according to a statement from the US Central Command.

In the same context, a senior US military official told the newspaper that "the recent strikes were planned to be broader in scope and more impactful to send a strong message to Tehran."

The Central Command announced the execution of a new round of offensive strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting more than 80 sites with precision munitions as a response to the latest Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The official stated that "the strikes were four to five times broader in scale compared to previous attacks since the ceasefire agreement was signed last month," adding that "Washington still considers the ceasefire agreement to be in effect."

This followed Iran's recent assault on three commercial ships passing through the strategic strait on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting an immediate response from US forces, according to the Central Command's statement.

Previously, Trump had ordered the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at halting military operations between the two sides and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.