Middle East — 2026-09-13

CENTCOM Says US Redirected 99 Commercial Ships as Iran Maritime Blockade Continues

BLUFCENTCOM's accelerating vessel count demonstrates operational tempo but lacks the cargo and flag data needed to confirm actual disruption of Iranian crude export revenue.

CENTCOM announced on X that U.S. naval forces, including the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, had redirected 99 commercial vessels linked to Iran as of September 11 under the ongoing maritime blockade 123. CENTCOM followed on September 13 with an updated figure of 100 vessels redirected over the past 60 days since the U.S. resumed what it called the "steel wall" blockade, adding that zero ships have passed through the blockade without U.S. forces' authorization 4. Citing Reuters, Khaama Press reported the blockade has cut Iran's crude exports from roughly two million barrels per day earlier this year to a fraction of that volume since mid-July 1. Tanker freight rates and insurance costs near the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments, have risen to record levels as shipping traffic through the waterway has fallen sharply 1.

Analysis
The redirected-vessel count has nearly tripled since CENTCOM's early-August disclosure of 35 ships, reaching 100 over 60 days, which the command frames as proof the "steel wall" blockade is tightening despite Tehran's continued defiance. The figure remains an internal operational metric: CENTCOM has released no flag, cargo, or destination data, leaving the link between the count and actual disruption of sanctioned Iranian crude unverified. Record tanker freight rates and insurance premiums near Hormuz confirm reduced transit volume but not that redirected vessels carried Iranian oil rather than unrelated traffic rerouted preemptively. Reporting rests solely on two CENTCOM posts on X, with Khaama Press, Middle East Eye, and Hatha Alyoum republishing the same figures without independent verification, and the rising tally may reflect an expanding definition of "redirected" rather than a proportional rise in intercepted cargo.

5 sources

CENTCOM Says US Redirected 99 Commercial Ships as Iran Maritime Blockade Continues - Khaama Press
Centcom says US forces redirect 99 commercial vessels - Middle East Eye
Centcom says US forces redirect 99 commercial vessels - Hatha Alyoum English
CENTCOM forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels over the past 60 days since America resumed the steel wall blockade against Iran - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X
CENTCOM post on USS Boxer supporting Iran blockade enforcement: '99 commercial vessels redirected as of Sept. 11' - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X