US forces have redirected 94 commercial vessels, disabled three others and boarded two as part of efforts to enforce the American maritime blockade against Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday.
CENTCOM wrote in a social media post that the USS George H.W. Bush is supporting the operation in the Arabian Sea, with the actions intended to ensure “complete compliance."
The naval blockade was first imposed by Washington on April 13, giving CENTCOM authority to inspect vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports as part of an effort to curb Tehran's petroleum exports and maritime activity. A temporary 60-day agreement reached in June suspended the embargo in exchange for unrestricted merchant shipping, but the US restored the blockade in July after renewed armed clashes and attacks on vessels in the region.
The latest maritime measures come as Washington continues to increase pressure on Tehran on both economic and military fronts.
President Donald Trump predicted Monday that oil prices would fall sharply following an American victory over Iran, while again insisting that Tehran will not obtain a nuclear weapon.
"Oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran. Three Dollars a gallon, but ultimately, below Two Dollars a gallon. It will all happen quickly, and Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon. MAGA! President DJT," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Trump administration has also stepped up its economic pressure campaign. The Treasury Department launched “Operation Economic Outcast" two weeks ago, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as an unprecedented effort to isolate Iran economically and restrict revenue reaching the Iranian regime.
At the same time, the US has resumed military strikes against Iran. American forces carried out attacks last week around Qeshm Island, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, near the Strait of Hormuz.
Three days later, on Friday, Trump warned that the US could target Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified Iranian facility where Tehran has allegedly been expanding its nuclear infrastructure.
"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Trump said in the Oval Office. He added, "We may hit Pickaxe very soon...if there was anything going on with Pickaxe."
Iran, meanwhile, has announced plans of its own concerning the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Top security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Sunday that Tehran intends to establish a new “prohibited zone" in the area.
“In the coming days, a prohibited zone will be announced outside the Strait of Hormuz. This zone will start from the US Navy’s blockade line and include areas of the Persian Gulf. Any ship entering this new zone will be placed on the sanctions list" of Iran, Rezaei told Iranian state television.