By Ginika Igboke
The United States announced that it blocked 100 commercial ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas over a period of just more than a month, according to a May 23 statement from United States Central Command.
The maritime blockade began on April 13 after a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump and covered all Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
According to CENTCOM, four vessels were disabled during the operation, while 26 humanitarian aid ships were permitted to pass through the restricted area.
“Our service members are doing extraordinary work,” CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper said in a statement.
“They have been highly effective by executing the mission with precision and professionalism, allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports, which has squeezed Iran economically.”
The operation involved more than 200 aircraft and warships, as well as approximately 15,000 military personnel, including soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen, who helped reroute shipping traffic during the blockade.
Naval forces participating in the operation included assets from the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, and the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The current Middle East conflict began on Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that reportedly killed senior figures within the Iranian government. The conflict has since contributed to regional instability and significantly disrupted oil and natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said peace negotiations with Iran were showing slight signs of progress despite a fragile ceasefire.
Rubio’s comments followed recent remarks from Trump warning that talks were approaching a critical stage and that military action could resume if an agreement was not reached.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.
Disruptions to traffic through the passage contributed to higher energy prices worldwide. In the United States, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline reportedly climbed from $2.98 before the conflict to $4.52 as of May 23, according to the American Automobile Association.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects gasoline prices could fall to approximately $3.88 later this year and decline further to around $3.62 by 2027.
The agency also projected that the Strait of Hormuz would remain effectively closed through late May, with shipping activity gradually increasing in June.
However, U.S. energy officials do not expect oil transport through the region to return to pre-conflict levels until later in the year.
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