US forces in the Middle East continue to fully enforce the maritime blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas and can maintain the blockade as long as needed, the head of the United States Central Command said Friday.
“We are watching every Iranian ship in every port period, full stop,” Adm. Brad Cooper told Al Arabiya English during a call with reporters.
We’re able to sustain the blockade as long as necessary,” he said, adding that American forces “have eyes on every Iranian port.”
Iran announced Friday that it was opening the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the ceasefire in the Middle East. But US President Donald Trump said the US-imposed blockade he ordered would remain in effect until a deal was completely agreed between Washington and Tehran.
Since the blockade went into effect on Monday, Cooper said 19 vessels had tried to violate the blockade but turned around and returned to port after US warnings. “No ships have or will evade US forces,” Cooper said in Friday’s call.
However, he said there were several vessels of interest that the US military continues to closely monitor “both within and outside the blockade boundary.”
He added: “We have eyes on every single one of them.”
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