Mine hunters move towards Hormuz
AAmid the naval blockade of Iranian ports, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that no ships broke the cordon in the first 24 hours, while reports suggested that a small number of ships may have transited the strait.
The blockade ordered by President Donald Trump has effectively halted maritime trade to and from Iran, forcing many ships to turn back near restricted waters.
The command said no unauthorized ships violated the blockade in the initial phase, forcing at least six ships to divert course.
“More than 10,000 U.S. sailors, Marines and airmen, along with more than a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are carrying out the mission to block ships entering and departing Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said in a post on Twitter. During the first 24 hours, no ships passed the U.S. blockade and six merchant ships stopped by U.S. forces to re-enter an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. Followed the instructions.”
More than 10,000 US sailors, Marines and airmen, along with more than a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are carrying out the mission to block ships entering and departing Iranian ports. During the first 24 hours, no ships passed the American blockade and 6 merchant ships… pic.twitter.com/dpWAAknzQp
– US Central Command (@CENTCOM) 14 April 2026
The operation involved approximately 15 naval assets, including an aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ships, dock landing and transport ships, and guided-missile destroyers. These assets are supported by land and sea-based combat aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, refueling aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to maintain persistent domain awareness.
However, a report by US-based web publication The War Zone (TWZ) shows that although the blockade is largely in place, some ships are still passing through the Strait of Hormuz under limited or controlled circumstances.
US Navy will clear mines in Hormuz
The blockade, which applies to all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, extends to the entire Iranian coastline, although non-Iran-bound ships are officially allowed to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US launched mine countermeasures in the area over the weekend. According to a separate report by TWZ, a pair of US Navy minesweepers, including the Avenger-class mine-countermeasure ships, are headed from Japan to West Asia, possibly within CENTCOM’s area of operations.
