The Strategist

US Navy intercepts 64 merchant vessels since Iran blockade resumes



08/18/2026 - 03:06



Following the restart of the naval blockade against Iran, the US Navy has seized 64 merchant ships associated with Iran that were heading to or leaving an Iranian port, as reported by US Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM) on Monday.



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JoachimKohler-HB
"As of August 17, CENTCOM units have redirected 64 commercial ships, immobilized three, and boarded two additional vessels to guarantee compliance," the statement noted.

On July 14, the US Navy reinstated the naval blockade on ships going to or coming from Iranian ports and coastal regions. The earlier blockade was in place from April 13 until June 18.

In the last two months, Central Command has redirected 142 vessels that adhered to the blockade, incapacitated nine vessels that did not comply, and permitted over 50 commercial vessels delivering humanitarian aid to transit through the blockade area, as reported by its data. 

source: reuters.com