A US Navy destroyer has intercepted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran, marking an early show of force as Washington moves to enforce its new maritime blockade.
According to a US official, the vessels were stopped on Tuesday after departing Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman.
The warship contacted them by radio and ordered them to turn back. It remains unclear whether further action was taken beyond the warning.
The operation comes just a day after President Donald Trump announced a sweeping blockade targeting Iran’s maritime trade, part of a broader strategy to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and accepting US conditions for ending the war.
US Central Command said several commercial vessels have already complied with the restrictions, confirming that ships attempting to leave Iranian ports have been redirected.
Officials insist tustruhat no vessel has successfully breached the blockade since it took effect.
The scale of the operation underscores its significance.
The U.S. military says more than 10,000 personnel, over a dozen warships and multiple aircraft are involved in enforcing the restrictions across key waterways in the region.
While Washington maintains that freedom of navigation will be upheld for vessels not linked to Iran, the blockade is already tightening pressure on Tehran’s economy, which relies heavily on maritime oil exports.
Analysts, however, caution that it is still too early to judge the effectiveness of the strategy.
Maritime expert Noam Raydan noted that while some tankers appear to have reversed course, tracking Iranian-linked shipping remains difficult, as some vessels disable tracking systems.
Beyond its immediate economic impact, the blockade carries broader risks. Experts warn it could provoke retaliation from Iran, particularly if it persists over time.
Tehran has previously threatened to target Gulf states hosting US forces and has a history of attacks on shipping in the region.
The move also raises concerns about the stability of the fragile ceasefire currently in place.
The blockade was announced after talks aimed at ending the conflict collapsed, and tensions remain high as both sides continue to stake out firm positions.
Washington hopes the pressure will weaken Iran’s leverage by limiting its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route through which about a fifth of global oil supplies pass.
Reopening the waterway is seen as key to stabilising global energy markets, which have been rattled by the conflict.
Still, military analysts warn that maintaining such a blockade could require a prolonged commitment of resources and carries the risk of escalating the confrontation further.
With thousands already killed in the conflict and oil prices remaining volatile, the situation at sea is fast becoming a central front in a war that shows little sign of ending quickly.
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