US Navy Tightens Iran Blockade As 86 Commercial Vessels Are Forced To Turn Back

U.S. Navy forces enforcing a blockade against Iranian ports had redirected 86 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two as of September 2, 2026.

The footage shows a gray U.S. Navy helicopter hovering over a warship’s flight deck at sea before the view shifts from the aircraft door to the water below.

A gray destroyer is seen underway with a white wake, while a large commercial tanker steams across open water. The clip ends with a distant warship moving through haze.

The blockade is being enforced in the Arabian Sea and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States first imposed the blockade on April 13, 2026, to restrict ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. After a pause tied to a June ceasefire, U.S. forces reinstated it on July 14.

U.S. Central Command has used destroyers, helicopters and boarding teams to turn back or stop ships that do not comply.