WASHINGTON — U.S. forces have forced 31 Iranian oil tankers so far to alter course or return to port, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday.
The agency said the action was part of enforcing a sea-based blockade on Iran. The operation is being carried out by the U.S. Navy.
Since April 13, on the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump, all vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports have been targeted, according to reports. Trump has described the operation as economic pressure, which includes sanctions, port controls, and the seizure of vessels in international waters. The Wall Street Journal reported that the blockade is costing Iran about $500 million a day.
The energy analytics firm Vortexa said at least 34 oil tankers are still managing to evade the blockade. Some are leaving the Persian Gulf, while others are headed toward Iran via the Arabian Sea. Several ships are switching off their identification systems to conceal their destinations, the report said. It cited the example of “Dorena,” a large tanker that turned off its tracking system off the coast of Malaysia while transferring oil.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report