US Navy Blocks 70 Ships From Iran: The Strait of Hormuz Standoff Escalates
CENTCOM reports 70 merchant vessels redirected, 3 disabled and 2 boarded since reinstating Iran blockade.
U.S. naval forces have intercepted dozens of merchant vessels attempting to reach Iranian ports since the reinstatement of a blockade, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM confirmed that 70 ships were redirected, while three were disabled and two were boarded as part of the enforcement effort.
Footage released by CENTCOM shows a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter conducting a vertical replenishment operation for the USS Boxer, supported by the USNS Arctic, while both vessels operated in West Asian waters. The video underscores the active presence of U.S. forces in the region amid heightened tensions.
Iran’s response and new maritime fees: strait of hormuz
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation (PGSA) has issued strict warnings to vessels violating its protocols for the Strait of Hormuz. Ships found non-compliant risk fines, confiscation, or detention, with future voyages potentially restricted. The PGSA also warned that vessels engaging in ship-to-ship transfers or other interactions with non-compliant ships could be automatically added to Iran’s blacklist.
In a further escalation, Iran announced that ships from “authorised” countries must now pay service fees to Tehran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The charges, approved under the Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz plan, will fund services including navigation, fueling, insurance, safety guarantees, and search-and-rescue operations. Payments can be made in Iranian Rials or other currencies, as determined by Iranian authorities.
Cargo owners have been urged to review Iran’s non-compliant vessel list before chartering ships to avoid complications. Vessels already flagged must submit a formal application and justification to be removed from the list, adding a bureaucratic hurdle for operators in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the standoff, posting an image on social media that labeled the Strait of Hormuz as “New U.S Territory”. The provocative statement drew immediate criticism from Iranian officials, who accused the U.S. of attempting to assert control over a critical international waterway.
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