The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in recent hours that during the first 48 hours of the blockade, 10 merchant ships that attempted to leave Iranian ports complied with the instructions of American forces, made a U-turn, and returned to their ports of origin or to coastal areas in Iran.
One of the most notable reports from the night concerns an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that left the port of Bandar Abbas. An American destroyer (USS Spruance) contacted it and ordered it to turn around. The ship did indeed change course and returned towards Iran.
Maritime surveillance reports indicate that a tanker named Rich Starry, which had left the Persian Gulf carrying methanol, made a U-turn and returned through the Strait of Hormuz after encountering the blockade forces.
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Despite the US statement that "zero ships have breached the blockade", maritime tracking data (Kpler) indicates that at least 3 Iranian-linked ships have managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since Monday. However, some appear to have stopped or reduced speed immediately after transiting due to the presence of the US Navy.
There are reports of severe disruptions in AIS (Automatic Identification of Ships) systems and spoofing of GPS positions in the area, making it difficult to accurately verify the movement of "dark" ships (those trying to evade the blockade).
The blockade, announced by President Trump on Monday after peace talks in Islamabad collapsed, is now being enforced by more than 10,000 US military personnel and dozens of vessels. The US has made it clear that ships that refuse to stop will be subject to seizure or forcible seizure.
