TAMPA, FLORIDA July 25, 2026 — The U.S. naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect, with American forces continuing to interdict commercial vessels attempting to reach or leave Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.
As of July 25, CENTCOM has redirected 12 commercial vessels that tried to run the blockade, disabled two that refused to comply, and boarded two others to verify compliance, the command said in an official statement posted on X.
Earlier Saturday, U.S. forces completed a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea. The vessel was allowed to continue its journey after the operation.
On July 24, CENTCOM forces disabled the Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman. The crew had attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings, according to the statement. The ship is no longer transiting toward Iran.
“American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready,” CENTCOM said.
The announcement included video footage showing U.S. military helicopters operating from a naval vessel’s flight deck, personnel preparing for and conducting a fast-rope boarding onto a tanker (with the name Charminar and IMO number 9318022 visible), and overhead infrared surveillance imagery of a precision strike impacting the deck of the M/T Lavine.
The blockade was resumed on July 14 at the direction of the U.S. commander in chief, following an earlier period of enforcement from April to June. U.S. forces continue to allow compliant maritime traffic through regional waters while targeting vessels bound for or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas.
All mariners in the Gulf of Oman and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz have been advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and maintain contact with U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16.
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