U.S. Continues To Enforce Maritime Blockade Against Iran as IRGC Navy Asserts Coordination Over Strait of Hormuz Transits
According to U.S. Central Command, 90 vessels have been redirected as of May 20, and 4 others disabled since the operation began.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ — U.S. Central Command continued enforcement of the maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports on May 20, deploying a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter to patrol near a commercial vessel transiting regional waters.
According to U.S. Central Command, 90 vessels have been redirected as of May 20, and 4 others disabled since the operation began to enforce compliance with restrictions on commerce entering or exiting Iranian ports.
U.S. Navy surface combatants supporting the blockade included USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transiting the Arabian Sea, and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) conducting watch operations in the combat information center on the same date.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy asserted that 26 ships, including container tankers and other commercial vessels, passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours under its coordination and security on May 20.
The IRGC statements, issued in Persian and English, emphasized that all traffic occurs with permission and in coordination with its forces.
U.S. Navy assets including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) maintained presence in the Arabian Sea during the reporting period.
The continued operations reflect a sustained U.S. pressure on Iranian maritime access alongside Iranian efforts to maintain operational control over the critical choke-point.
