Thousands of troops aiding Iranian blockade as more ships head to U.S.

FILE PHOTO: An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 7, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

(The Center Square) – The U.S. may return to the negotiating table with Iran soon, as thousands of American service members assist in the blockade of Iranian ports.

U.S. Central Command said over 10,000 sailors, Marines and airmen are taking part in the operation to blockade ships entering and departing ports in the Islamic Republic.

CENTCOM noted that during the first day of the blockade, no ships passed, while six “merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.”

The blockade went into effect at 10 a.m. Monday Eastern time, following President Donald Trump's announcement.

“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” according to a post from CENTCOM.

During the ceasefire, which is set to expire April 21, the U.S. is looking to squeeze funding sources moving in and out of Iran. The U.S. Treasury Department is putting financial institutions on notice by “leveraging the full range of available tools and authorities and is prepared to deploy secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Iran’s activities.”

“The short-term sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed,” according to a post from the Treasury Department.

The economic chokehold on Iran comes as the U.S. appears to be benefiting from the blockade, with the White House announcing 167 crude tankers have declared U.S. destinations, adding 54 are categorized as “very large crude carriers, each capable of carrying approximately two million barrels.”