U.S. Central Command

USS New Orleans (LPD 18) sails in the Arabian Sea during the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, April 28. Over the past 20 days, 48 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the blockade.

U.S. Navy Sailors conduct routine maintenance on MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The MH-60 is U.S. Navy’s primary shipboard helicopter and operates from destroyers, amphibious ships, and carriers in the region.

U.S. forces continue to patrol international waters and enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. As of now, 45 commercial vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port to ensure compliance.

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A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter prepares to land aboard USS Tripoli (LHA-7). The Super Stallion is one of the largest and heaviest lift helicopters in the U.S. Marine Corps.

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) replenishes guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) while at sea. Replenishments underway allow U.S. Navy ships to receive fuel, food, munitions, and essential supplies.

A U.S. Air Force crew chief prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon for flight at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. F-16 fighter jets conduct routine presence patrols throughout the region supporting regional security and stability.

U.S. Marines aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) stand watch in the Arabian Sea during naval blockade operations against Iran. As of today, 44 commercial vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) continues to conduct routine flight operations as it sails in the Red Sea.

For 2+weeks, U.S. forces have successfully enforced the blockade, cutting off economic trade going into and out of Iran.

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Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander on the success of the U.S. blockade against Iran:

Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) sails regional waters within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Mason, alongside other destroyers, is part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, one of three carrier strike groups currently operating in the Middle

U.S. Army Soldiers conduct pre-flight checks on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The UH-60 is the workhorse of the Army, logging millions of flight hours and capable of both transporting troops and sling loading cargo.

Prior to the U.S. blockade on Iran, 5 ships were moored or anchored in the Iranian port of Chah Bahar on an average day. Today, more than 20 vessels remain in Chah Bahar as U.S. forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran during the ongoing blockade.

Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a

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A U.S. Sailor operates a lathe in the machine shop aboard USS Mitscher (DDG 57) sailing in the Middle East. Hundreds of crew members aboard U.S. Navy ships at sea contribute to mission readiness day in and day out.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) enforces the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports against M/T Stream after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port, April 26.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II launches from amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) while sailing in the Arabian Sea, April 24.

A U.S. Sailor signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57). U.S. forces remain focused and ready across the Middle East.

A U.S. Sailor watches a commercial ship as U.S. forces continue to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or exiting. American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around, or return to port.

A U.S. Sailor conducts preflight checks on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aboard USS John Finn (DDG 113). Multiple ships and helicopters are currently enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iranian ports.

Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conduct routine maintenance on dozens of aircraft, ensuring U.S. forces remain mission ready.

Yesterday, M/V Sevan was among 19 “shadow fleet” vessels sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets. Earlier today, Sevan

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II takes off from USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during routine flight operations in the Arabian Sea.

Ships with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group sail in the Indian Ocean, April 23.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) enforces the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports against an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail to a port in Iran, April 24.

A CH-53 heavy-lift helicopter lifts off from USS Tripoli (LHA 7). The CH-53 has a 36,000 lb aerial lift capacity, capable of transporting vehicles and supplies.

The blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports continues. To date, U.S. forces have redirected 34 vessels.

For the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time. Accompanied by their carrier air wings, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) include over 200 aircraft and 15,000

Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) serve meals to crew members. A typical aircraft carrier strike group serves around 4,000 eggs daily. Three aircraft carrier strike groups are currently operating in the Middle East. Combined, the Sailors and Marines

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 23.

U.S. forces have now redirected 33 vessels since the start of the blockade against Iran.

Day and night flight operations continue aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The Ford Carrier Strike Group continues to operate in the Red Sea, supporting maritime security in U.S. 5th Fleet.

U.S. forces have directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran. 🇺🇸

U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are deployed across the Middle East as part of the strongest and most lethal military the world has ever known.

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U.S. forces have directed 29 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran. Over past 24 hours, media reports have alleged that several commercial ships evaded the blockade, citing M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena as examples. These

U.S. Army Soldiers provide logistics support in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. 🇺🇸

U.S. Central Command forces remain ready...

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A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon during the U.S. blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. The P-8 can provide surveillance for extended periods, scanning vast waterways from high altitude.

Since the start of the U.S. blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports, U.S. forces have directed 28 vessels to turn around or return to port.

Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) receives supplies during a vertical replenishment in the Arabian Sea with supply ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7), April 18. Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Middle East enforcing the U.S. naval blockade on vessels

U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel's container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade.

Sailors conduct flight operations aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in the Red Sea, April 19. The Ford Carrier Strike Group is sailing in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Since the commencement of the blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port.

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U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s

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U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 20, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s

A U.S. Sailor signals to an F/A-18E Super Hornet as it prepares to launch from the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during U.S. naval blockade operations in regional waters.

Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) stand watch in the Arabian Sea as U.S. forces enforce the blockade of Iranian ports and costal areas.

A helicopter takes off from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) to patrol regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.

Sailors and Marines aboard dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.