US says 130th commercial vessel redirected during Iran blockade

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces redirected a commercial vessel in the Middle East on Monday, marking the 130th ship intercepted during the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran.

Since the operation resumed on July 14, US forces have redirected 130 commercial vessels and disabled three ships that refused to comply, CENTCOM said in a statement.

The command also said that American forces have destroyed 13 commercial vessels over the past 12 weeks. According to CENTCOM, the vessels were either violating the blockade or were connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ multibillion-dollar shadow network.

"The U.S. military remains intensely focused on this mission,” said CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper.

“We will swiftly act against any vessels trying to run the blockade. Our forces are highly trained, professional, and lethal,” he added.