The Washington Post reports that 19 U.S. warships are being deployed to strengthen the blockade on Iran.
U.S. Navy Strengthens Maritime Blockade on Iran with 19 Warships
The Washington Post reports that the United States has deployed 19 warships in the Middle East, significantly enhancing its military presence and firepower to enforce a stringent maritime blockade on Iran.
Unprecedented Naval Capabilities in the Northern Arabian Sea
An anonymous U.S. official revealed that most of these vessels are stationed in the northern Arabian Sea. The fleet includes:
- Aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush
- 13 destroyers
- An amphibious assault ship
- A cruiser
- Two landing ships
The official emphasized that this deployment grants U.S. forces substantial capabilities to enforce the maritime blockade and maintain a strong military presence in the region. Notably, the count does not include any nuclear submarines due to the U.S. Navy’s policy of secrecy.
Implementation of the Blockade and Operations
According to the report, the U.S. blockade will resume today at 4 PM Eastern Time. This blockade targets any vessel heading to or departing from Iranian ports.
During the previous blockade, the U.S. Navy intercepted or forced over 140 commercial ships to turn back. Additionally, it fired on the engine rooms of nine vessels that refused to comply.
Ongoing Escalation Between Washington and Tehran
These developments follow President Donald Trump’s announcement to resume military operations against Iran and reimpose the maritime blockade amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Tehran aims to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump has stated his intention to collect 20% of the value of each shipment in exchange for protecting the strait. This stance contradicts international law, which guarantees freedom of navigation.
Before the outbreak of war in February, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz, transporting over 15 million barrels of fuel valued at no less than $1.2 billion.
In a related context, U.S. forces have completed a new wave of strikes on Iran lasting five hours, as Trump reasserted control over Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee for guarding the strait.
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