US military says forces patrol regional waters to enforce blockade

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that American service members are continuing maritime patrols in regional waters as part of efforts to enforce restrictions on shipping linked to Iran.

“U.S. service members continue to monitor and patrol regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X, Caliber.Az reports.

U.S. service members continue to monitor and patrol regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. pic.twitter.com/dz4aBbvqLS

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 16, 2026

As part of the ongoing Iran–US conflict, the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports along the Strait and Persian Gulf. The blockade began on April 13, after peace talks in Islamabad failed.

By Sabina Mammadli