The United States military reported that within the first 48 hours of its naval blockade on Iran, ten ships attempting to leave Iranian ports were turned back. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on social media that since the blockade began on Monday, no vessel had successfully breached it. CENTCOM initially reported nine ships being turned back but later updated the figure to ten, noting that the tenth vessel was redirected by a guided missile destroyer.

However, maritime tracking data presented a different picture. Data from Tuesday indicated that at least three ships departing Iranian ports had crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some later returned. According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, those three were among seven Iran-linked vessels that passed through the strait after Washington’s blockade took effect.

The blockade followed failed peace talks and came after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, which had prompted Tehran to close the strait temporarily.