Blockade of a Blockade: As Tehran Menaces Strait of Hormuz, US Tightens Vise on Iranian Shipping

Iran’s hold on the waterway causes international pain while U.S. Navy’s worldwide hunt for ’shadow fleet' tankers is aimed only at Iran.

U.S. forces patrol near the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska after it was boarded and seized by U.S. forces, at a location given as the Arabian Sea, in this image released April 20, 2026. US Central Command via X/Handout via Reuters

With the arrival of USS George H.W. Bush, there are now three carrier battlegroups, more than 240 jets, and at least 16 destroyers in the Arabian and Red seas hunting for Iranian ships and “shadow fleet” tankers.

But one thing the 20,000 sailors and Marines involved in the 20-plus ship operation—including more than 2,500 assault infantry on the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli—aren’t doing is blockading the Strait of Hormuz.