US military says it redirected 71 vessels under Iran naval blockade

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. Army said it has redirected 71 commercial vessels as part of a naval blockade against Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. The command said the ships were steered under the blockade and that more than 40 aid vessels were allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The United States imposed the naval blockade on Iran in April 2026 after talks held in Islamabad aimed at ending a war that began in February 2026 failed to produce a result. Central Command said the redirected commercial vessels were taken under control during the blockade operation and that maritime traffic in international waters was being reorganized. The command added that the transit of aid vessels was permitted to maintain the flow of humanitarian assistance. No further details were immediately available on the number of vessels remaining under escort or the duration of the blockade operation.