US Central Command Reports 70 Vessels Redirected in Iran Blockade Enforcement

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two since enforcing a naval blockade against Iran. In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "A U.S. Sailor monitors flight operations aboard USS John Finn (DDG 113) as the guided-missile destroyer sails in the Arabian Sea and enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 23, U.S. forces have redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance."

CENTCOM also posted a video of a US Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk conducting a vertical replenishment for USS Boxer (LHD 4) from USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) while the ships sailed in regional waters in the Middle East.

The numbers updated earlier figures. As of Aug. 12, U.S. forces had redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two, according to CENTCOM.

Over the past three months, U.S. forces have assisted more than 1,000 vessels in navigating the Strait of Hormuz, and CENTCOM has declared that the southern route through the strait remains free and open for all commercial vessels. The command has described the enforcement as necessary to counter what it called "unwarranted Iranian aggression."

More than 20 U.S. warships are deployed to the Middle East, including the USS John Finn, USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Boxer, and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Iran's Port and Maritime Authority Warns of Consequences

Meanwhile, Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation (PGSA) warned vessels violating its protocols for the Strait of Hormuz that they could face restrictions on future passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation.

In a post on X, PGSA said, "Vessels violating Iranian protocols for the Strait of Hormuz shall face restrictions on future passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation." The authority also warned that vessels cooperating with ships already listed as non-compliant would themselves be added to the list: "Effective immediately, any vessel cooperating with listed vessels (via STS, transhipment, etc.) will be added to the list."

PGSA urged cargo owners shipping to or from the Persian Gulf to review its Non-Compliant Vessels (NCV) list before chartering vessels. It said vessels seeking removal from the list must submit a formal application along with justifications.

Iran Introduces Service Fees for Authorised Countries

Iran announced on Sunday that vessels from "authorised" countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz will now be required to pay service fees. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran's National Security Commission, said the fees will cover maritime, environmental, and logistical provisions, including navigation, environmental, fueling, insurance, and safety services.

The measure follows the approval of Article 3 of the "Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz" by the National Security Commission. Rezaei said fees can be charged in Rials or any other currency desired by the Islamic Republic.

Trump's Territorial Claim

On August 23, President Trump reiterated his claim of U.S. control over the waterway by sharing an image depicting the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW US Territory." He had shared the identical graphic on August 18.