The US military has announced that its forces have intercepted 42 vessels as part of a blockade aimed at preventing maritime commerce from entering or leaving Iranian ports. US Central Commander Brad Cooper, in a statement posted on social media, said that 41 tankers are currently stranded as a result of the operation, carrying an estimated 69 million barrels of oil, worth over 6 billion US dollars in potential revenue, further restricting Iran’s ability to profit from its oil exports. He described the blockade as highly effective, adding that US forces remain fully committed to its full enforcement.

 

Iran has strongly condemned the seizure, calling it a flagrant act of piracy. The country’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that its armed forces did not intervene at the time as crew members’ families were present on board the vessels.

 

It further warned that continued US maritime actions, described as piracy and banditry in the form of a naval blockade against Iran, would soon be met with what it termed practical and unprecedented military action.