US tightens blockade on Iran: 62 ships forced to change course

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed data on its naval activity as part of the blockade on Iran: 62 commercial ships changed course, three were detained, and two were inspected. Meanwhile, Washington is preparing to replace the aircraft carrier in the region, with the USS George Washington set to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 250 days. The US Secretary of War said the blockade will continue as long as necessary.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released data today on its naval activity as part of the American blockade on Iran. According to the announcement, American forces changed the course of 62 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade conditions, detained three ships, and boarded two others for search. CENTCOM also published images of nighttime activity aboard the cruiser USS Princeton in the Arabian Sea, including the direction of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter. Meanwhile, it was reported that Washington is preparing to replace the aircraft carrier in the region: according to the Wall Street Journal, the USS George Washington is set to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 250 days. The US Secretary of War said yesterday that the United States will continue the blockade "as long as necessary," with no defined end date. The report also includes details on an American proposal for a temporary arrangement, under which Iran would allow free passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the blockade for a month, with the possibility of monthly renewal and partial release of frozen funds. However, an Iranian official told Reuters that no recent contacts have taken place with the United States.