The United States has claimed that all forms of Iran’s maritime economic trade have been halted under a full naval blockade. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that the blockade on Iranian ports has been fully implemented and that US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. He said on social media platform X that Iran’s economy relies on maritime trade for about 90 percent of its international commerce, and within less than 36 hours of the blockade’s enforcement, all sea-based economic transactions through Iranian ports had stopped.

CENTCOM confirmed that the blockade applies to ships from all countries attempting to access Iranian ports. A statement added that guided-missile destroyers from the US Navy have been deployed to enforce the blockade. Each destroyer carries a crew of more than 300 sailors trained in both offensive and defensive maritime operations.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify how long the blockade would remain in effect or whether diplomatic measures were being considered.