US can intercept any Iran-linked ship globally, Caine says

WASHINGTON — As the US naval blockade of vessels in and out of Iranian ports enters day four, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine delivered a warning: Any vessel around the globe carrying supplies to or from Iran is a potential target. 

“The joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific area of responsibility, under the command of Adm. [Samuel] Paparo, will actively pursue any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” the four-star general told reporters this morning. “This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.”

Caine did not disclose if the US military has boarded any such vessels yet outside of Central Command’s purview, though he did say no ships have been boarded as part of the blockade involving the Strait of Hormuz.

His comments follow the April 8 announcement that Washington and Tehran reached a two-week ceasefire deal, with US President Donald Trump saying it was made on the condition that Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway where a fifth of the world’s oil transits through. 

However, as Israel continued its attacks on Hezbollah inside Lebanon, Iran cried foul and said vessels traveling through the waterway could become targets. That then prompted Trump to call for a US naval blockade to go into effect Monday morning for all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, to include the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said approximately 10 percent of US naval power is now being used to enforce this. 

“This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports,” Caine added today. “The US action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran’s territorial seas, and in international waters.”

Caine explained that on Monday, CENTCOM was eyeing seven ships as possible blockade violators. In some cases, he added, a lead US ship, likely a destroyer, would move toward the suspected violator transmitting a message: “Do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure, transiting to or from Iranian ports. Turn around or prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force.”

As of his briefing from the Pentagon this morning, Caine said the US military had not boarded another ship in the region.