Iran regional confrontation

CENTCOM says 109 commercial vessels have been redirected under the Iran blockade

This version is a correction.

ASSESSMENT
Location
Strait of Hormuz
Actors
United States · Iran
Importance
Standard

U.S. Central Command said that as of 20 September 2026 its forces had redirected 109 commercial vessels to ensure total compliance with the U.S. blockade of Iran (CENTCOM X status 2101685419179954548, USS John Paul Jones caption). The prior official tally, published 18 September via USS Boxer flight-operations messaging, was 105 redirected vessels. Secondary wires Shafaq and Business Upturn relayed the 109 figure.

Why it matters

Official CENTCOM tally step-up 105→109 within 48 hours — successive blockade-compliance metric from the interested U.S. command, not independently audited vessel-by-vessel.

Verification: Probable

Evidence: USS Boxer flight operations; 105 commercial vessels redirected, CENTCOM: 109 commercial vessels redirected as of Sept 20, Shafaq: CENTCOM diverted 109 vessels in Hormuz, Business Upturn: CENTCOM 109 vessels redirected under Iran blockade

PROBABLE official U.S. Central Command tally (CENTCOM X 2101685419179954548): 109 commercial vessels redirected as of 20 Sep 2026, up from the 18 Sep tally of 105. Shafaq and Business Upturn relay. Vessel count not independently audited; interested-party official figure.