The U.S. military claims that since the blockade, it has ordered 31 ships to turn around or return to Iranian ports.
On April 22, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that the U.S. Central Command stated on social media that since the United States implemented a maritime blockade against Iran, it has ordered 31 vessels to turn around or return, most of which are oil tankers.
The statement noted that in the past 24 hours, some media reported that several merchant ships had bypassed the blockade, including the "Hero II," "Heidi," and "Dolina," but these reports are inaccurate. The "Hero II" and "Heidi" did not breach the blockade; these two oil tankers flying the Iranian flag were intercepted by the U.S. military earlier this week and are currently docked at Iran's Chabahar port. The "Dolina" had previously attempted to breach the blockade and is currently being "escorted" by a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. Central Command instructed 31 vessels, primarily oil tankers, to turn around or return to Iranian ports due to a maritime blockade. Reports of several commercial ships bypassing the blockade were found to be inaccurate, as the vessels 'Hero 2' and 'Heidi' were intercepted and are currently docked at Chabahar port. The vessel 'Dolina' attempted to breach the blockade and is now being escorted by a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean.
- U.S. Central Command reported instructing 31 vessels to turn back or return to Iran.
- Most of the vessels involved are oil tankers.
- Reports of several commercial ships bypassing the blockade were inaccurate.
- The vessels 'Hero 2' and 'Heidi' were intercepted and are currently at Chabahar port.
- The vessel 'Dolina' attempted to breach the blockade and is being escorted by a U.S. Navy destroyer.