The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that its naval forces have intercepted a total of 51 merchant vessels since the maritime blockade on Iran was resumed, according to a statement made this Friday by the military command itself.
The vessels, which were sailing towards Iranian ports or departing from them, have been subject to different interventions by U.S. units as part of operations aimed at ensuring the enforcement of the blockade.
"As of August 7, CENTCOM forces have diverted 51 merchant vessels, immobilized two, and boarded another two to enforce the blockade," the Central Command indicated in a statement released through its official social media.
Washington reactivated the naval blockade device in mid-July on ships heading to port terminals and coastal areas of Iran, as well as on those leaving these areas.
According to the balance released by CENTCOM, in the last two months its forces have diverted a total of 142 vessels that met the criteria set by the blockade, while another nine have been put out of service for violating these restrictions.
At the same time, U.S. military authorities maintain that they have allowed the passage of more than fifty commercial vessels carrying humanitarian aid through the area under naval control.
The message from CENTCOM has been accompanied by several images captured aboard the U.S. destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), showing a member of the guard crew in the combat information center while the ship operates in the region's waters in support of the blockade measures around Iranian ports and coasts.