US military says Iran blockade continues to be 'fully implemented'

WASHINGTON - US military forces continue to enforce "US sanctions and fully implement the blockade against ships entering or departing Iranian ports," US Central Command said on social media Saturday.

In a post on X, the US Central Command said that 37 vessels have been redirected since the start of the blockade, noting a merchant vessel named Sevan, intercepted in the Arabian Sea earlier Saturday by the US forces, is currently "complying with US military direction to turn back to Iran under escort."

US President Donald Trump announced on April 12 that the US Navy would begin blocking ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. His decision came after the first round of US-Iranian talks on April 11 and 12 in Islamabad, Pakistan, failed to produce a peace deal.

In response to Trump's announcement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that "any threat against the security of the Strait of Hormuz will have large-scale consequences for global trade."

On Saturday, Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, reiterated its pledge to react if the United States continues its "blockade, banditry and piracy" in the West Asia region.

Trump announced earlier Saturday that he has canceled the trip of US representatives going to Islamabad this weekend for talks with the Iranian side.