62 Commercial Ships Have Rerouted Since July 14 Due to US Naval Blockade, CENTCOM Says

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday, 23 Mordad 1405 (August 14, 2026), that since July 14 (23 Tir), when Washington resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports, the US Navy has diverted the route of 62 commercial ships. According to Eco Iran, the figure is the latest official US tally on the scope of the naval blockade, which has continued since mid-Tir 1405 (early July).

The claim follows earlier remarks by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who said on Thursday, 22 Mordad (August 13), that the US Navy could keep the blockade on Iranian ports "for as long as necessary." Rerouted vessels typically travel via the Cape of Good Hope or overland routes, which raise the cost and transit time of shipping goods to Iran.