A United States destroyer ship has intercepted two oil tankers trying to depart from Iran. The event took place on April 14, a day after President Donald Trump’s blockade went into effect. According to a US official who spoke to Reuters anonymously, the destroyer directed the tankers to turn back.
The tankers had left Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the warship through radio communication. It remains unclear if any additional warnings were issued. This incident sheds light on the initiation of Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
The goal of the blockade is to exert pressure on Iran to reopen the strait, a crucial route through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Involving over 10,000 US personnel, more than a dozen warships, and numerous aircraft, the blockade is an effort to compel Iran to comply with US conditions for a peace agreement.
Tensions between the US and Iran escalated following joint US-Israeli attacks on key Iranian locations on February 28. In response, Iran closed the strait and carried out strikes across the Middle East, leading to heightened conflict in the region.
Both countries have agreed to a temporary ceasefire set to expire soon, with indications of willingness to engage in further negotiations. As per a US official cited by Reuters, the two tankers were part of six merchant vessels directed to return to an Iranian port by the US Central Command. Central Command reported that no ships have breached the blockade since it was enforced on Monday at 10 am in Washington.
