Iran War & Ceasefire — 2026-05-13

CENTCOM Reports 67 Ships Diverted Since Start of Strait of Hormuz Naval Blockade

CENTCOM stated Wednesday that U.S. forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, allowed 15 carrying humanitarian aid to transit, and disabled four since the naval blockade of Iranian ports began April 13. Earlier in the week, forces fired small-arms warning shots to turn back two commercial vessels attempting to exit the blockade zone, CENTCOM said on X. The Epoch Times, citing a May 12 CENTCOM post, placed redirected vessels at 65, two fewer than Wednesday's updated count. Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told House lawmakers Tuesday that the war's cost has risen to approximately $29 billion, up from $25 billion estimated in late April.

Analysis
The $25-to-$29 billion cost jump in roughly two weeks, per Pentagon comptroller testimony, signals munitions replacement and operational tempo accelerating faster than projected, likely deepening congressional scrutiny as the war enters its second month without resolution. Tehran's declaration that Hormuz sovereignty is "established" and "the matter is closed" treats the strait as a non-negotiable rather than a bargaining chip, deepening the divide as Trump described ceasefire talks as on "massive life support." Warning shots at vessels probing enforcement limits carry incremental escalation risk, though the low disabling rate, four of 67 redirections, per unverified CENTCOM posts, suggests the blockade sustains on deterrence, not kinetic pressure.

5 sources