US Central Command redirects 62 vessels, disables three as Iran naval blockade intensifies

The US Navy is not operating quietly in the Arabian Sea. As of August 14, US Central Command has redirected 62 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two since reinstating its naval blockade against Iranian ports on July 14, 2026. How the blockade actually works CENTCOM has deployed a combination of aircraft carriers, helicopters, and surface vessels to intercept ships attempting to reach or depart Iranian ports through the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. When a vessel ignores warnings to divert, US forces have the authority to disable it, including through the use of Hellfire missiles. Three ships have reached that threshold so far in this enforcement phase. Boarding actions, which involve US personnel physically taking control of a vessel, have occurred twice. These are the most operationally intensive interventions and signal direct non-compliance that goes beyond simply ignoring radio warnings. Humanitarian aid vessels are exempt from the restrictions. CENTCOM has maintained that protocol consistently across both enforcement phases, preserving some movement through the Strait of Hormuz for ships carrying food, medicine, and other aid cargo. The blockade’s history in ...