US Naval Blockade Forces Redirection of Commercial Vessels Amid Iran Tensions

Washington, July 24 – The American Central Command reiterated on its X feed that the naval blockade reinstated earlier this month has compelled twelve commercial ships to change course away from Iranian waters, while a thirteenth vessel has been denied access to any Iranian port or coastal zone.

The same statement noted that the latest round of air raids, which began at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, represents the 13th night in a row that U.S. forces have bombed Iranian military sites.

The aim, as described by the command, is to hold Tehran accountable and to mitigate the risk the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps poses to global merchant shipping.

Earlier on Thursday, the IRGC claimed it had intercepted three oil tankers in the Hormuz Strait, one of which suffered an explosion and fire after hitting a mine‑strewn route. The guard warned that any vessel attempting to ignore Iran’s orders would face a similar fate.

According to U.S. sources, missile strikes hit locations near the western cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir and Andimeshk, as well as a power station close to the Bushehr nuclear power plant and a site in Shalamcheh near the Iraqi border, where two individuals were reportedly targeted.