A US naval vessel intercepted two oil tankers attempting to depart from Iran. The incident took place on April 14, a day after President Donald Trump’s blockade went into effect. The destroyer directed the tankers to turn back, as reported by a US official speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity.
The tankers had left the Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the warship through radio communication. It remains unclear if any additional warnings were issued. This development provides more insight into the initiation of Trump’s blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
The purpose of the blockade is to exert pressure on Iran to reopen the strait, a critical route through which approximately one fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Involving over 10,000 US troops, more than a dozen warships, and numerous aircraft, the US blockade is an effort to compel Iran to adhere to the US terms for a peace agreement.
Tensions between the US and Iran escalated following joint US-Israeli airstrikes on key Iranian locations on February 28. In response, Iran closed the strait and carried out retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, sparking conflict in the region.
A temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, set to expire soon, has been agreed upon by both parties, signaling a willingness for further negotiations.
According to the US official, the two tankers were part of the six merchant vessels instructed by the US Central Command to return to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman earlier on the same day. Central Command reported that no ships have successfully passed the blockade since its enforcement on Monday at 10 am in Washington.