US Military Orders 27 Ships to Turn Back from Iranian Ports
Since last Monday, ships entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas have been blocked. On Monday (April 21), the US Central Command said it has instructed 27 ships to turn around or return to Iranian ports, and has also released a video of destroyer warning ships to turn around.
The US military is imposing the blockade on ships related to Iran, primarily targeting those entering and leaving Iranian ports. This action is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.
On Monday, the Central Command updated the blockade situation and released a video on X platform showing US Navy destroyers broadcasting messages to ships approaching Iranian ports, urging them to turn around or face military action.
The command also stated that since blocking ships from entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, 27 ships have been instructed to turn around or return to Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint in the Persian Gulf, where 20% of the world’s oil is usually transported through.
On April 19, the US seized a cargo ship flying the Iranian flag, which ignored warnings and attempted to break the blockade.
The container ship detained by the US in the Gulf of Oman belongs to a subsidiary of an Iranian state-owned group under sanctions, and was en route to Iran after visiting a Chinese port at the end of last month.
The MV Touska belongs to a subsidiary fleet controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). IRISL is accused of transporting items with potential military uses to Iran.
The US Central Command stated that the MV Touska was heading to the port of Abbas in Iran when it was repeatedly warned by the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance for six hours for violating the blockade. Subsequently, after warning the Iranian crew to leave the engine room, the US forces fired at the engines, incapacitating them, with no casualties reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing to host a new round of US-Iran talks, as the ceasefire agreement between the two sides is set to expire on Tuesday evening.