US redirects 83 commercial vessels as part of Iran maritime blockade

US forces have redirected the course of 83 commercial vessels by August 30 as part of the ongoing maritime blockade on Iran, while disabling three ships and boarding two others to ensure compliance with blockade procedures, according to US Central Command.

American naval operations in the region continue amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes.

Photos released by US Central Command showed an American sailor guiding an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to land on the deck of the warship USS Delbert D. Black as it sailed in the Arabian Sea, as part of the blockade enforcement operations against Iran.

These measures come as US forces intensify efforts to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following earlier strikes today targeting two Iranian launch platforms on Larak Island, which Washington said were preparing to fire missiles loaded with naval mines toward the strait.