U.S. Forces Redirect 109 Commercial Vessels To Enforce Iran Naval Blockade

US forces have redirected 109 commercial vessels while enforcing a naval blockade on Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday.

The vessels were redirected to make sure they followed the US blockade. The figure was recorded as of September 20.

The US military resumed enforcement of the blockade on July 14. It covers maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports.

CENTCOM has said the restrictions also apply to vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas.

US forces continue to support vessels travelling through regional waters if they are not violating the blockade.

Tensions between the US and Iran remain high. The Strait of Hormuz has become a key point in the confrontation.

Per reports, only four commodity vessels passed through the Strait on September 17, compared with a 10-day average of 16.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran that Washington could take “significant action” if Tehran does not change its approach to the conflict.

Trump also said he could be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York.

He said he was still deciding what to do about Iran and that “very big things” could happen in the near future.

Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Iran had sent its conditions for ending the conflict to the US through Qatar.

According to the statement cited in the briefings, Iran wants an end to fighting on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to the US naval blockade.

Rezaei added that Iran was waiting for Trump’s response.

Separately, Yemen’s Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks towards Saudi Arabia. Saudi forces said they intercepted an attack directed at Riyadh.

Iran is now waiting for a response from Washington to the conditions it sent through Qatar. Trump has said he is still deciding on the next steps.

References: ANI, republicworld