New Delhi, April 15 -- The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that during the first 48 hours of the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, "no vessels have made it past US forces."

"Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

However, maritime tracking data appeared to contradict the US assertion, news agency AFP reported.

Tracking data from Tuesday indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.

The three ships were among at least seven Iran-linked vessels that passed through the strait after...