US Navy Blocks Four More Ships Near Strait of Hormuz in Ongoing Blockade Against Iran
The US Navy has redirected four more ships near the Strait of Hormuz as part of its ongoing blockade against Iran. This brings the total number of ship redirections to 59, with three vessels disabled and two boarded as of August 12, 2026.
The current phase of the blockade was reimposed in mid-July after a short-lived ceasefire collapsed amid renewed Iranian threats and attacks on commercial shipping. The US Navy's operation involves warnings, redirection, disabling of propulsion/steering systems, and boarding teams to enforce the 'steel wall' naval blockade against Iran.
The blockade severely restricts Iran's ability to export oil and receive imports by sea, targeting a core revenue stream. Iranian crude exports have been heavily constrained under the ‘steel wall,’ compounding economic pressure from sanctions and the broader conflict.