MAJOR UPDATE: U.S. FORCES REPORTEDLY REDIRECT AT LEAST 109 COMMERCIAL VESSELS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
U.S. forces, operating under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), have reportedly redirected at least 109 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to enforce restrictions on Iranian-linked cargo.
According to the report, the vessels were redirected rather than being allowed to proceed after paying transit fees.
The reported measures form part of a broader U.S. effort to restrict the movement of Iranian-linked goods through the strategic waterway.
The move has also drawn attention because the reported enforcement measures affect commercial shipping and could have wider consequences for trade and the flow of goods through the Strait of Hormuz.
The report characterizes the operation as an attempt to increase economic pressure on Iran rather than directly targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or Iranian government facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping route, with disruptions there potentially affecting international trade, energy markets and regional supply chains.