US Reimposes Naval Blockade On Iranian Ports, Over 20 Warships Deployed Across Region
US Reimposes Naval Blockade On Iranian Ports, Over 20 Warships Deployed Across Region Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 02:15 IST US Central Command
US Reimposes Naval Blockade On Iranian Ports, Over 20 Warships Deployed Across Region Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 02:15 IST US Central Command said the blockade came into effect at 4 pm ET, as US forces resumed operations in the region. CENTCOM said more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently deployed across the Middle East. (Image via X/@CENTCOM) The US military on Tuesday confirmed that its naval blockade against Iran has been reimposed, with American forces restricting vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade came into effect at 4 pm ET, as US forces resumed operations in the region. CENTCOM said more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently deployed across the Middle East. “American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," the military added. U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET.There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East.
American forces remain… pic.twitter.com/ATRJHlLQNo — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026 The move came after US forces carried out a fourth consecutive day of strikes against Iran. CENTCOM said the latest attacks were aimed at “degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz. Fresh Strikes Reported Across Iran Iranian state media reported explosions following the latest round of US strikes. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported three explosions in Bandar Abbas, while state-linked Fars News Agency reported several blasts in the southwestern city of Ahwaz. Reports also said projectiles struck a location near Sirik in Hormozgan province. Details about the extent of damage or casualties from the latest strikes were not immediately available. The renewed US military action came after President Donald Trump withdrew a planned threat to impose a 20 per cent levy on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he had decided to replace the proposed fee with trade and investment agreements involving Gulf countries.
“I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz following US-Israel attacks in February, after which Washington imposed an earlier blockade on Iranian ports that lasted from mid-April to mid-June. Since renewed US strikes began last week, at least 28 people have been killed in Iran, according to an AFP tally based on Iranian media reports and official announcements. Tensions remain high as military operations continue across the region. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Could this conflict escalate further in the region? The US reimposed a naval blockade on Iran on July 15, 2026, with over 20 warships deployed across the region. This action follows recent fighting between US and Iranian forces and a sharp deterioration in relations.
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