US military redirects 55 ships since resuming Iran maritime blockade

US Central Command has announced that 55 commercial vessels have been rerouted and two ships disabled since the resumption of the maritime blockade imposed on Iran.

In a statement, Central Command said that more than 20 US warships are deployed in the Middle East to support enforcement of the blockade, as operations continue to restrict the movement of vessels linked to Iranian trade.

The command added that US naval actions since the blockade resumed have included rerouting dozens of commercial ships and disabling two vessels, without providing further details on the nature of the disabling operations or the identities of the targeted ships.

These developments come as US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that negotiations between the United States and Iran are progressing slowly, likening the talks to a game of chess.

Trump claimed that the US maritime blockade has worsened Iran's economic crisis, as American pressure on Tehran continues alongside ongoing military and naval maneuvers in the region.