The U.S. military had redirected 118 commercial vessels and disabled another five during the U.S. blockade against Iran as of Sunday, said the U.S. Central Command.
The U.S. navy destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) is "supporting the U.S. blockade against Iran", the command said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said that 28 ships, including oil tankers, container vessels, and commercial ships, passed through the Strait of Hormuz within the past 24 hours after obtaining permission and receiving protection from its Navy.
In a statement on the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, the IRGC said that the "the aggression and mischief" of the U.S. military are the main reasons for the waterway's insecurity these days, adding that "the smart control of the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out continuously and with authority".
Iran tightened its grip on the strait beginning Feb 28, when it barred safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The United States imposed a blockade on the strait preventing ships from transiting to and from Iranian ports, following the failure of Iran-U.S. negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11-12 to reach an agreement.
US military forces 118 vessels to redirect during blockade against Iran
US military forces 118 vessels to redirect during blockade against Iran
