US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied media reports that claimed several commercial ships had evaded the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, calling the reports “inaccurate” in a post on X/Twitter on Wednesday.
The US has directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade, CENTCOM reported.
CENTCOM named three ships that media reports had alleged had broken the blockade – M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena – as examples.
“Hero II and Hedy did not sail past the blockade as part of a flotilla that ‘ferried’ millions of barrels of oil to the market,” CENTCOM wrote.
“In fact, the Iranian-flagged tankers are anchored in Chah Bahar, Iran, after being intercepted by US forces earlier this week,” CENTCOM added.
“Dorena has been under the escort of a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean after previously attempting to violate the blockade,” CENTCOM stated.
“The US military has global reach,” CENTCOM claimed.
Earlier, the US military conducted a “maritime interdiction and boarding” of the M/F Tifani, a “stateless sanctioned” vessel, during the overnight hours, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday.
The interception occurred under US INDOPACOM’s area of responsibility. INDOPACOM is the US Indo-Pacific Command, responsible for the Indian and Pacific oceans and surrounding areas. INDOPACOM is not responsible for the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz, which fall under the US Central Command.
Source:
www.jpost.com
