Lead

The US military has said it turned away 31 vessels that were attempting to reach or leave Iranian ports since the naval blockade against Iran began on April 13, according to statements from US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported by TASS. The figure, however, has varied across official announcements, with earlier statements citing 29, 13, and 10 vessels.

Coverage Comparison

All reports of these developments originate from TASS, the Russian state news agency, which has quoted CENTCOM statements and US military officials. The numbers provided by CENTCOM appear to have shifted over time, with the most recent statement, dated April 23, citing 31 vessels. Earlier, on April 16, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane, told reporters that 13 ships had turned around. A CENTCOM post from the same day claimed ten vessels had been turned away and that "ZERO ships have broken through." Another CENTCOM statement, also dated April 23, reported 29 vessels. TASS did not explain the discrepancies, and it is possible the figures represent different reporting periods or revised counts.

The coverage consistently frames the blockade as part of broader US military pressure on Iran, which follows the February 28 launch of a large-scale US-Israeli operation against Iran, as reported by TASS. The blockade was announced after unsuccessful US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11, and it has become a central point of contention in efforts to resume diplomacy.

Key Claims

  • The US imposed a naval blockade on Iran on April 13, according to the White House as cited by TASS. The block is intended to stop all vessels heading toward or departing from Iranian ports.
  • CENTCOM stated on April 23 that US forces have directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port since the blockade began. Earlier figures from CENTCOM included 29, 13, and 10 vessels, with CENTCOM asserting on April 16 that no ships had breached the blockade.
  • General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the US military is prepared to use force, including warning shots, to prevent civilian vessels from violating the blockade. He noted that before taking action, US forces broadcast radio warnings and that 13 ships had made the "wise choice" to turn around.
  • According to TASS, Iran and the US held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11. The Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the US delegation was headed by Vice President JD Vance. Both sides reported that no agreement was reached.
  • US President Donald Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with Iran on April 7, and on April 21 he said Washington intended to extend it. However, according to Iranian state broadcaster, Tehran does not recognize the unilateral extension and will act in line with its own interests.
  • The Iranian permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on April 22 that negotiations with the US could resume if the naval blockade is lifted.
  • According to the Iranian side, 3,375 Iranians were killed by US and Israeli attacks during 40 days of war, a figure reported by TASS but not independently verified.

Perspectives

US Military / CENTCOM

The United States frames the blockade as a legitimate measure to pressure Iran. CENTCOM emphasizes that its operations are effective, with no ships breaking through, and that commanders have a range of response options, including warning shots. The military also stresses that it issues radio warnings before any action, portraying its approach as measured and rule-based.

Iranian Government

Tehran views the blockade as a hostile act that undermines diplomacy. Iranian officials have stated that talks could resume if the blockade is lifted, and they do not accept the US-imposed ceasefire extension. The reported casualty figure of 3,375 Iranians underscores the human cost of the conflict as seen from the Iranian perspective.

Regional Experts

Khalil Jahshan, executive director of the Arab Center Washington DC, told TASS that the blockade reflects the failure of international mediation in Islamabad and that it heightens tensions and creates new barriers to resuming talks. His analysis suggests that the US move may be counterproductive to its stated goal of reaching a negotiated settlement.

Timeline Context

The conflict began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran, according to TASS. A two-week ceasefire was announced by President Trump on April 7. Despite the ceasefire, talks on April 11 failed to reach a long-term agreement. The naval blockade was imposed on April 13, during the ceasefire period. As the ceasefire was set to expire on April 21, Trump announced an extension, but Iran rejected it. The diplomatic path forward remains uncertain, with the blockade as a major sticking point.