WASHINGTON: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially denied media reports claiming that several commercial vessels successfully evaded the American naval blockade imposed on Iran, asserting that U.S. forces have turned around or sent back 29 vessels in the past week.
In a statement posted on its official X account, CENTCOM said that over the previous 24 hours, some media outlets had alleged that ships including the M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena had breached the blockade, carrying millions of barrels of oil to market.
“These reports are inaccurate,” CENTCOM said.
According to the command, the Iranian-flagged tankers Hero II and Hedy did not sail past the blockade as part of any flotilla. Instead, both vessels are currently anchored in Chah Bahar, Iran, after being intercepted by U.S. forces earlier this week.
The third vessel, M/V Dorena, is now under the escort of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean, having previously attempted to violate the blockade, CENTCOM added.
“U.S. forces have directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran,” the statement read.
CENTCOM emphasized that the U.S. military has global reach and that American forces are actively operating and enforcing the blockade across the Middle East and beyond. The command did not provide further details on the types of vessels or their nationalities.
The blockade, imposed amid escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran, aims to halt Iranian oil exports and disrupt military supplies. Washington has warned that any vessel attempting to breach the blockade will be intercepted and potentially seized.
Iran has not yet officially responded to CENTCOM’s latest claims
