CENTCOM: No ships got past blockade of Iranian ports on first day

Photo: CENTCOM

In a post on X, CENTCOM says that, during the first 24 hours of its being in place, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and six merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.

More than 10,000 U.S. sailors, marines, and airmen are executing the mission which, says CENTCOM,
is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

What has been clear for a long time now is that the Strait of Hormuz is now longer functioning as a vital world oil supply artery.

With the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in place, commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below typical levels, with just six vessels crossing on April 13, compared with 14 the previous day, says Kpler.

“Even before the ceasefire and the blockade, flows had already slowed significantly as operators avoided transits amid security concerns,” notes Kpler. “Confidence among shipowners remains weak, with ongoing uncertainty around enforcement clarity, insurance constraints and counterparty exposure continuing to weigh on transit decisions particularly for laden voyages requiring double approvals. For now, the operating environment remains high risk, limiting any meaningful recovery in flows.”