A US Navy destroyer intercepted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran on Tuesday, ordering them to turn back, according to a US official cited by Reuters. The move came a day after President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.
The official, speaking anonymously, said the vessels had departed from Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman and were contacted via radio by the warship. It remains unclear whether further warnings were issued.
The interception signals the early enforcement phase of Washington’s blockade, which seeks to push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global energy corridor that carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply.
The development follows the collapse of talks to end the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict, which began on February 28 and is now in its second month under a temporary two-week ceasefire. Trump has tied the reopening of the strait to the continuation of the ceasefire, which is set to expire next week.
According to US Central Command, six merchant vessels have already complied with orders to turn back toward Iranian ports, and no ships have successfully passed through the blockade since Monday. However, maritime tracking data cited by AFP suggests that at least three vessels — including the Liberia-flagged Christianna, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, and the bulk carrier Argo Maris — managed to transit the strait after departing Iranian ports, though some later reversed course.
These ships are believed to be part of a larger group of at least seven Iran-linked vessels that crossed the chokepoint after the blockade began.
The operation reportedly involves more than 10,000 US personnel, over a dozen warships, and multiple aircraft. Washington maintains it will continue to ensure freedom of navigation for vessels not connected to Iran.
Still, experts caution that it is too early to assess the blockade’s effectiveness. Noam Raydan of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted that some Iran-linked vessels may be evading detection by disabling tracking systems.
Analysts warn that if the blockade continues, it could heighten tensions and provoke retaliation from Tehran, potentially undermining the fragile ceasefire and further destabilising the region.
Iran’s threats to maritime traffic have already pushed global oil prices up by around 50%. The conflict has claimed roughly 5,000 lives so far, and sustained US strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure. However, analysts say Tehran remains a formidable challenge, pointing to its hardline leadership and hidden reserves of highly enriched uranium.
