West Asia War: US deploys 12 ships, 100 aircraft to enforce blockade on Iranian ports

The US Central Command CENTCOM on Thursday local time said that US forces are actively enforcing a largescale maritime blockade targeting Irans ports and coastline involving more than 10000 personnel over a dozen naval vessels and upwards of 100 aircraftIn a post on X CENTCOM said USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 transits the Arabian Sea as the United States blockades Irans ports and coastline US forces are not blockading the Strait of Hormuz More than 10000 American service members 12 ships and 100 aircraft have enforced the blockade in regional waters ensuring that no vessels violate the Presidents proclamationUSS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 transits the Arabian Sea as the United States blockades Irans ports and coastline US forces are NOT blockading the Strait of Hormuz More than 10000 American service members 12 ships and 100 aircraft have enforced the blockade in regionalhellip pictwittercomyQP4J1uShamdash US Central Command CENTCOM April 16 2026The deployment includes the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 operating in the Arabian Sea highlighting the scale of the US naval presence in the Iranian waters amid escalating tensionsIn another update CENTCOM added Sailors aboard guidedmissile destroyer USS Delbert D Black DDG 119 stand watch as US forces remain vigilant and enforce the blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports and coastal areasSailors aboard guidedmissile destroyer USS Delbert D Black DDG 119 stand watch as US forces remain vigilant and enforce the blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports and coastal areas pictwittercomoHSq4RhiVdmdash US Central Command CENTCOM April 17 2026The USS Delbert D Black DDG 119 is among the warships tasked with monitoring an interceptingvessels in the vicinity of Iranian watersMeanwhile US President Trump highlighted ongoing US military measures in the region particularly the blockade in the Strait of HormuzWere doing very well with the blockade Its very routine for us The Navys incredible and I think the blockade is doing very well No ship is even thinking about entering No ship is going past our Navy he saidEarlier on Thursday the United States categorically said that its naval blockade in West Asia applies to Iranian ports and coastline and is not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz The remarks were made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen Dan Caine while speaking to the media Gen Caine underlined that the blockade applies to all ships irrespective of their nationalitiesLet me be clear this blockade applies to all ships regardless of nationality heading into or from Iranian ports The US action is a blockade of Irans ports and coastline not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Enforcement will occur inside Irans territorial seas and in international watersHe said that along with the blockade the joint force would actively pursue any Iranianflagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran which would include dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oilIn addition to this the blockade the joint force through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility like the Pacific area of responsibility under the command of Admiral Paparo will actively pursue any Iranianflagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oilAs most of you know dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations sanctions or insurance requirements He emphasised that during this pause the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moments noticeThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever