The US Central Command reported that the first forty-eight hours of the naval blockade on ships heading to and from Iranian ports did not witness any crossing, and confirmed that the forces present in the region completely prevented any attempt to bypass the blockade.
In a statement published on the “X” platform, the command explained that about nine ships complied with the orders of the American forces and returned to Iranian ports or coasts, which indicates the effectiveness of the measures taken.
Commander of US Central Command, Brad Cooper, confirmed that the naval blockade had been fully implemented, and stressed the continued US “naval superiority” in the region.
Cooper added that approximately 90% of the Iranian economy depends on maritime trade, noting that the American forces succeeded in less than 36 hours in stopping the movement of trade to and from Iran via the sea.
This maritime escalation comes in the context of the indirect confrontation between the United States and Iran, as pressure has shifted to vital waterways, most notably the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered an important global energy artery.
Through this blockade, Washington seeks to put pressure on the Iranian economy by disrupting maritime exports and imports, in an attempt to impose new negotiating conditions on Tehran.
On the other hand, Iran considers these measures a dangerous escalation, and has indicated on many occasions the possibility of responding by targeting or disrupting shipping traffic in the region.
Preventing ships from passing and returning reflects the extent of American control at sea, but at the same time it increases the possibilities of direct contact, especially with escalating tensions.
This situation directly affects global markets, given the importance of the strait for transporting oil and gas, raising fears of broader economic repercussions if the escalation continues.
These developments come amid a fragile negotiating path between Washington and Tehran, making the naval blockade an additional pressure tool that can be used to accelerate reaching an agreement or impose new facts on the ground.
