The United States Continues to Enforce the Blockade Against Iran

As of August 27, CENTCOM forces diverted 75 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two to ensure compliance, CENTCOM said in a statement on social media. Following the naval blockade on Iran, Washington escalated by declaring an "economic war" against the country, after the 60-day deadline the two nations had agreed upon for reaching a comprehensive deal to end the conflict, which began with the joint U.S.-Israel offensive on February 28. Today, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Tehran is already feeling the "devastating" sanctions announced by the United States. "Their economy, as we know, is in free fall.

They are in a devastating situation, she said, reiterating that inflation in Iran exceeds 100% and that authorities cannot pay police and military salaries. Iran announced the closure of the strait passage in mid-July, following the resumption of U.S. airstrikes on the country's south, while Washington responded by re-imposing a blockade on Iranian ships and ports. This maritime route, through which normally 20% of global oil flows, is one of the critical points in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran since late February, with U.S. naval assets positioned and Tehran conducting drone attacks on commercial shipping.

Washington says the strait is now free of mines, something Tehran denies, calling the announcement a "propaganda strategy. The White House confirmed today that Washington is not currently in active negotiations with the Islamic Republic and that this situation will remain unchanged until Trump considers that Iran shows a definitive willingness to sit at the table. In recent days, Iran and Oman, which lies on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz, have been negotiating to open a temporary passage through the waterway.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, today urged shipping companies to avoid transiting through Hormuz until safety conditions are guaranteed. The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) has stopped 75 ships in the Strait of Hormuz as of today, enforcing Washington's blockade on Iranian ports.