U.S. Central Command announced that 31 ships were instructed to change course as part of a naval blockade against Iran. It was stated that most of the vessels were oil tankers.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, claimed that 31 ships have so far been turned back under the blockade initiated against Iranian ports.
In a statement released by the command, it was noted that U.S. forces instructed the vessels either to alter their routes or return to ports belonging to Iran. The statement added that the majority of the ships complied with these instructions.
Officials emphasized that a significant portion of the vessels turned back were oil tankers. This highlighted the impact of the blockade on energy transportation.
In a previous statement on April 20, CENTCOM had reported that similar instructions had been given to 27 ships since the blockade began on April 13. With the latest figures, the number of ships turned back has increased.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously announced that a blockade process would be initiated around the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran in Pakistan failed to produce results.