US General Dan Kane has warned that ships assisting Iran within the naval blockade zone could be targeted by American forces. Speaking at a joint press conference in Washington with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, he said that vessels carrying Iranian oil would also fall under US targeting rules. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

General Kane outlined several directives of the blockade, stating that it applies to all ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports. He emphasized that the United States would use force if the blockade is violated. According to US military claims, 13 ships have already been turned back without any American personnel boarding them.

The directives further clarified that the blockade applies only to Iranian ports and not to the Strait of Hormuz. Kane added that more than 10,000 sailors, marines, and air force personnel are involved in enforcing the blockade.