CENTCOM says 13 ships destroyed since Iran blockade resumed
In short
US Central Command says its forces destroyed 13 commercial vessels over the past 12 weeks that violated the blockade of Iran or were part of what it called a shadow network of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The command said 130 commercial ships bound for or leaving Iranian ports have been intercepted since the blockade resumed on 14 July, that three vessels refusing to comply were disabled, and that more than 70 ships carrying humanitarian aid were allowed through. CENTCOM advised mariners in the Gulf of Oman and on the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz to watch notices to mariners and contact US naval forces on VHF channel 16.
Why it matters
The statements describe an active US naval blockade being enforced with force against commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, a route used by vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. Both documents rest on CENTCOM's own account, so the scale and circumstances of the interceptions are known only as the command describes them. Mariners transiting the Gulf of Oman and the approaches to Hormuz are being told directly by the command to monitor advisories and use a designated radio channel.
Key facts
- CENTCOM said its forces destroyed 13 commercial vessels over the past 12 weeks that violated the Iran blockade or took part in what it called a multi-billion-dollar shadow network of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. [ 1 , 2 ]
- CENTCOM said 130 commercial ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports have been intercepted since the blockade resumed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to CENTCOM, three vessels that refused to comply with American demands were disabled. [ 2 ]
- CENTCOM said more than 70 commercial vessels carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to pass through the blockade zone. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reported that the blockade was resumed on 14 July by order of the US commander-in-chief. [ 2 ]
- CENTCOM advised mariners to follow notices to mariners and contact US naval forces on VHF channel 16 in the Gulf of Oman and on the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The location, date and circumstances of each of the 13 vessels' destruction, and the nationality, ownership or crew status of the ships involved. Both documents rely on CENTCOM's account and give no details beyond the aggregate figure.
- Whether the 13 destroyed vessels and the 130 intercepted ships are counted over the same period. TASS links the 13 to the resumption of the blockade, while Interfax describes them as destroyed over the past 12 weeks; the documents do not reconcile the two framings.
- The date the blockade resumed, which only Interfax states. Single-source detail: 14 July, reported only by Interfax.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS publishes its report on CENTCOM's statement about the destruction of 13 commercial vessels and the redirection of 130 ships. [ 1 ]
- Interfax publishes a fuller account of the CENTCOM statement, including the 12-week period, the 14 July resumption of the blockade, three disabled vessels and more than 70 humanitarian shipments allowed through. [ 2 ]