Baghdad: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday that US forces have continued to enforce the naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-July, confirming the implementation of field operations targeting shipping traffic related to Iran.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, CENTCOM stated in a press release that, as of August 2nd, US forces had altered the course of 35 commercial vessels, in addition to disabling two ships and boarding two others to verify their full compliance with the naval blockade imposed on Iran.

It added that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) does not have the authority to dictate specific routes for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the strait is an international waterway and that commercial vessels continue to transit the strait with the support of US forces, despite what it described as threats and attempts by the IRGC to target commercial vessels and their crews during transit operations.

These developments come amidst ongoing maritime tensions between the United States and Iran, with Washington continuing to implement its measures to enforce the blockade on Iranian ports, while simultaneously affirming its commitment to protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.