US Central Command redirects 67 ships in renewed Iran maritime blockade

BAGHDAD, Iraq — US Central Command said it has redirected 67 commercial vessels since resuming its maritime blockade of Iran on July 14, according to a post on X. Three ships were neutralized and two were boarded to enforce sanctions compliance, the command said. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a broad economic campaign against Iran, pledging heavy sanctions on any country that provides Tehran with financial or commercial support. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz, through which large volumes of oil transit, and that the toughest sanctions on Iran would be applied, leading to the collapse of its regime. During the first round of the blockade in mid-June, 194 ships were redirected and nine were neutralized. Control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passes, has become a central issue in negotiations aimed at easing tensions with Iran.