US Forces Expand Blockade, Disrupt Commercial Shipping Near Iran

NEW DELHI, July 21 — In a move to tighten the naval blockade around Iran, U.S. forces have taken additional steps to interfere with commercial traffic that passes through the Hormoz Strait.

The U.S. Central Command reported that, following orders issued at 4 p.m. local time, American warships launched a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian maritime capabilities used to harass commercial vessels. These attacks focused on coastal radar stations, missile launch facilities and drone depots that could be employed against merchant shipping.

Since July 20, U.S. aircraft operating from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer have conducted nonstop patrols, rerouting seven merchant ships and disabling a vessel that attempted to access Iranian ports. The objective is to create a clear deterrent against any future Iranian attempts to interfere with international trade.

The escalation follows statements from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which alleged that its forces had hit U.S. bases in Jordan and Kuwait with ballistic missiles and drones, damaging several aircraft and a radar installation.

U.S. officials maintain that the continued pressure on Iran’s naval and aerial assets is essential for protecting global shipping routes and preventing further destabilisation of the region.