Blockade of Iranian ports stalls 13 ships, escalating pressure on Tehran

The Pentagon says 13 ships have turned away from Iranian ports since the U.S.-led blockade began in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, as Washington seeks to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The action, announced by President Trump, applies to all vessels heading to or from Iranian ports; warnings are issued before interdiction and no ships have been boarded yet. The move accompanies fragile two-week ceasefire diplomacy and ongoing enforcement against Iranian-flagged or “dark fleet” vessels.