CENTCOM: US forces turn back 38 vessels departing Iranian ports

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that since the start of a maritime blockade of Iran by American forces, 38 vessels have been ordered to turn around or return to port.

Sharing a post on X, officials said the US forces continue to prevent vessels from entering and exiting ports, Caliber.Az reports.

A U.S. Sailor watches a commercial ship as U.S. forces continue to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or exiting. American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around, or return to port. pic.twitter.com/Trtc41NZyp

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 27, 2026

Meanwhile, Brent crude rises more than 2 per cent after Washington and Tehran fail to hold the second round of talks in Pakistan.

After easing slightly, Brent, the primary benchmark for global prices, stood at $106.99 as of 1:30 GMT.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday cancelled a planned trip to Pakistan by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, after Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi departed Islamabad before any direct engagement could take place between the sides.

Araghchi arrived in Russia’s Saint Petersburg on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials as Tehran seeks a way out of the diplomatic impasse.

Araghchi’s trip, which follows a whistle-stop visit to Oman on Sunday, comes as uncertainty hangs over the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Trump announced an extension to their two-week truce last week, without specifying a deadline for reaching a deal to end the war.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov