US Central Command says 87 ships rerouted under Iran naval blockade

U.S. Central Command said 87 commercial vessels have altered their course since the naval blockade against Iran resumed on July 14. Forces monitoring compliance with the blockade disabled three ships off Iran and conducted board-and-search inspections on two others, the command said. In a statement dated September 3, 2026, Central Command said the operations are continuing off Iran and in regional waters as part of the blockade. The command said its forces are maintaining surveillance of commercial shipping movements in the area. The statement did not specify the flag states or cargo of the affected vessels, nor did it detail the circumstances of the vessels that were disabled or boarded. No further details were immediately available.