U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has blocked 42 vessels attempting to violate the naval blockade of Iranian ports, Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement Wednesday.
Cooper said that U.S. forces have “successfully enforced the blockade, cutting off economic trade going into and out of Iran.”
The latest tally marks a steady rise from earlier reports. The blockade, now in its third week, has redirected dozens of commercial ships to prevent them from reaching or leaving Iranian coastal areas.
President Donald Trump said he ordered the operation as part of a strategy to isolate Iran economically. He also framed the blockade’s progress as leverage for an agreement with Tehran….