CENTCOM: No vessels have breached US naval blockade on Iran in first 48 hours

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported Wednesday that no vessels have breached a US naval blockade on Iran during its first 48 hours. "During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces," said CENTCOM in a post on X. It also added that "9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area."

Blockade details

The statement came after CENTCOM on Monday began a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. US forces have "completely halted" maritime trade to and from Iran, the commander of CENTCOM said Tuesday. The command, responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said the blockade is being "enforced impartially against vessels of all nations" entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Talks collapse

The blockade followed rare direct talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending the war that began on Feb. 28, but the negotiations failed to reach an agreement. A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place, set to expire on April 22.

Iranian claim

The CENTCOM statement contradicts an Iranian media report Wednesday that a giant Iranian crude carrier transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered Iranian waters despite the blockade. There was no immediate US comment on that report.