US Military Says Over 70 Tankers Now Blocked from Entering or Leaving Iranian Ports
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Iran-US Conflict
WASHINGTON — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that more than 70 tankers are currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports as part of the ongoing U.S. naval blockade, delivering a significant economic blow to Tehran’s oil export capacity.
In a statement posted to X, CENTCOM said the commercial vessels are capable of transporting more than 166 million barrels of Iranian oil, valued at over $13 billion.
“There are currently more than 70 tankers that US forces are preventing from entering or leaving Iranian ports.”
— U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
📊 Blockade by the Numbers
The announcement marks a significant escalation in the U.S. campaign to strangle Iran’s oil exports, which have already fallen by more than 70% since the war began on February 28.
| Metric | Current Total |
|---|---|
| Tankers blocked from entering/leaving Iranian ports | 70+ |
| Estimated oil volume | 166+ million barrels |
| Estimated value | $13+ billion |
| Vessels redirected since blockade began | 57 |
| Vessels disabled by U.S. forces | 4 |
Since the U.S. naval blockade was imposed on April 13, American forces have reported redirecting 57 commercial vessels and disabling four Iranian-flagged tankers.
⚓ Recent Enforcement Actions
The announcement comes amid a dramatic week of escalating enforcement actions in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
Friday, May 8: U.S. forces disabled two Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers, the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, as they attempted to pull into an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS George H.W. Bush fired precision munitions into the vessels’ smokestacks, disabling both.
Wednesday, May 6: U.S. forces disabled the Iranian-flagged tanker M/T Hasna after its crew failed to comply with repeated warnings. An F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired several rounds from its 20mm cannon gun, disabling the tanker’s rudder.
Thursday, May 7: U.S. Navy destroyers came under “unprovoked Iranian attacks” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones, and small boats at the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason. U.S. forces intercepted the threats and responded with self-defense strikes on Iranian military facilities, including missile and drone launch sites.
💥 ‘A Love Tap’: Ceasefire Under Strain
Despite the escalating military actions, President Trump has insisted that the April 8 ceasefire remains in effect. In an interview with ABC News, he described the exchange of fire as a “love tap”.
U.S. officials have emphasized that the strikes on Iranian tankers and military facilities are “self-defense” measures and do not mark a restart of the two-month war.
However, Iran has formally accused the United States of violating the ceasefire, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed a “crushing response” to any further U.S. aggression.
🚢 Iran Retaliates: Tanker Seizure
In a tit-for-tat response, the Iranian Navy announced on Friday that it had seized an oil tanker, the Ocean Koi, in the Gulf of Oman. Iran claimed the vessel was detained over “maritime violations” and for attempting to disrupt Iranian oil exports, and that the operation was carried out under a judicial order following a resolution by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
🌊 ‘Project Freedom’ on Hold
The current naval buildup is linked to “Project Freedom,” a U.S. military operation aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. The operation was launched on Monday, paused on Tuesday after diplomatic consultations, and has now been partially resumed.
According to CENTCOM, more than 15,000 troops, 200 aircraft, and 20 warships are currently deployed across the region as part of the operation, including aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, and surveillance platforms.
The strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil normally passes, remains effectively closed to most commercial traffic, and global energy markets remain on edge.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Total Tankers Blocked | 70+ ships prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports |
| Oil Volume/Value | 166+ million barrels worth over $13 billion |
| Vessels Redirected | 57 commercial vessels turned away since April 13 |
| Vessels Disabled | 4 Iranian-flagged tankers (Hasna, Sea Star III, Sevda, Touska) |
| U.S. Military Assets | 15,000+ troops, 200 aircraft, 20 warships |
| Iran’s Response | Seized tanker Ocean Koi in Gulf of Oman |
| Ceasefire Status | Trump says holding; Iran accuses US of violations |
| Oil Market Impact | Global supplies disrupted; prices remain volatile |
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