U.S Military Redirects 24 Commercial Ships & Boards 2 As Part Of Renewed Iranian Blockade

The U.S military released new details about its naval blockade of Iranian ports and facilities amidst what CENTCOM called misinformation being spread by Iranian media and the IRGC regarding the conditions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf region.

It also said that as of July 20, 2026, CENTCOM said it had redirected 24 commercial ships, disabled 2 and boarded 2 in its efforts to prevent vessels from reaching Iranian ports, ultimately damaging Tehran’s economy and crippling its oil exports.

“The immediate dangers posed to commercial vessels and their civilian crews are the IRGC’s verbal threats and attempted attacks”, said CENTCOM.

In a post on X, US Central Command said that the naval blockade is being enforced by U.S warships, reconnaissance aircraft and service members.

It also rejected the “false claims” made by Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

CENTCOM also shared an image of a U.S Navy P-8 Poseidon approaching a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker for refuelling while patrolling the Middle East. The command mentioned that the aircraft is among the several crucial assets used for monitoring regional waters during the American blockade against Iran.

In another post on X, CENTCOM claimed that Iran was spreading lies about three things in particular.

CENTCOM said that Iran claimed that the Strait of Hormuz route remains risky for ships, since it remains closed to commercial traffic; however, it rejected the allegation and said that the danger comes from the IRGC’s verbal threats, warnings and attempted attacks.

Secondly, it also brushed aside Iranian claims that its forces had destroyed three U.S. F-35 stealth fighters and three other aircraft during a recent attack on an American air base by stating that no aircraft was damaged, let alone destroyed at the base, as all missiles and drones had been intercepted.

Lastly, U.S Forces disagreed with Iranian reports claiming that an oil tanker named M/T Nora had “broken through the U.S. blockade.”

CENTCOM said that the tanker had not sailed past the American steel wall blockade. It added that 20 naval warships, aircraft and thousands of service members had remained vigilant and continued to enforce the blockade.