U.S. Central Command

U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel's container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade.

Sailors conduct flight operations aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in the Red Sea, April 19. The Ford Carrier Strike Group is sailing in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Since the commencement of the blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port.

U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s propulsion when the commercial ship failed to comply with repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a six-hour period.

A U.S. Sailor signals to an F/A-18E Super Hornet as it prepares to launch from the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during U.S. naval blockade operations in regional waters.

Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) stand watch in the Arabian Sea as U.S. forces enforce the blockade of Iranian ports and costal areas.

A helicopter takes off from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) to patrol regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.

Sailors and Marines aboard dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) patrols regional waters in support of blockade operations. The blockade has completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.

A U.S. Marine aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) monitors shipping during U.S. maritime blockade operations.

Success begins and ends with our people.

AH-64 Apaches fly above the Strait of Hormuz during a patrol, April 17. U.S. Army Soldiers are flying in and around the strait providing a visible presence in support of freedom of navigation.

Littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) patrols the Arabian Sea during the U.S. blockade. Since commencement of the blockade, 23 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around. American forces are enforcing a maritime blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrols the Arabian Sea, April 17, as U.S. forces enforce the naval blockade on ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. Since commencement of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return to Iran.

The U.S. naval blockade continues...

An F/A-18E Super Hornet taxis on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as it sails alongside the USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), April 16. Over 10,000 U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen are enforcing the blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) directs a merchant vessel to return to an Iranian port as it enforces the U.S. blockade, April 17. Since commencement of the blockade, 19 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return to Iran. ZERO vessels have evaded U.S. forces during the blockade.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fuel in flight from a KC-135 Stratotanker high above the U.S. Central Command operating area.