Afghanistan, Aug. 13 -- U.S. Central Command said American forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels under a naval blockade of Iranian ports, as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt international shipping.
CENTCOM said in a statement that, in addition to redirecting the vessels, U.S. forces had disabled three ships and boarded two others as part of efforts to enforce the blockade.
The command said the operations were intended to ensure compliance with restrictions on maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. It described the measures as part of its continuing enforcement of the blockade.
The latest figure represents an increase from 55 commercial vessels reported as redirected earlier this week, indicating...