US Blocks 42 Vessels in Iran Blockade: CENTCOM

President Donald Trump said Tehran’s remaining missile sites could be targeted if negotiations fail.

In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026. U.S. Navy via Getty Images

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has blocked 42 vessels attempting to violate the naval blockade of Iranian ports, Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement Wednesday.

Cooper said that U.S. forces have “successfully enforced the blockade, cutting off economic trade going into and out of Iran.”

The latest tally marks a steady rise from earlier reports. The blockade, now in its third week, has redirected dozens of commercial ships to prevent them from reaching or leaving Iranian coastal areas.

President Donald Trump said he ordered the operation as part of a strategy to isolate Iran economically. He also framed the blockade’s progress as leverage for an agreement with Tehran.

Trump on Wednesday described the blockade as “genius.”

“The blockade has been 100 percent foolproof. It shows how good our Navy is,” the president told reporters at the White House. “I can tell you that nobody’s going to play games.”

“They have a small percentage of missile-making facilities,” he said. “We’ve knocked out about 80 percent of them. The rest could come very quickly if we don’t make a deal.”

The update comes as the blockade remains in full effect. No ships have been reported passing through since enforcement began.

The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports took effect April 13 after talks in Pakistan failed to produce an agreement. Trump announced the measure to increase economic pressure on Tehran during a fragile ceasefire earlier this month.

Both the United States and Iran had accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which was set to expire at 8 p.m. ET on April 22 before Trump extended it to allow Iranian officials to submit a proposal. Both sides have also warned that they are prepared to continue fighting if a deal is not reached.

A second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran was set to begin on April 21 before the ceasefire expired, but an Iranian regime spokesman said on April 22 that the country has yet to decide whether to enter renewed talks.

CENTCOM made clear it would act impartially against any vessel heading to or from Iranian ports while allowing vessels not bound for Iran to pass through.

Since then, the Pentagon has broadened enforcement rules to include authorized boarding and potential seizure of Iran-linked or sanctioned ships anywhere in the world.

U.S. Marines have conducted at least one such boarding in the Arabian Sea, searching a container ship suspected of violating the rules before releasing it after confirming its destination.

Earlier this month, the Command reported it turned away 29 vessels, then later 34. More than 20 ships have remained moored or anchored at Iran’s Chabahar port. CENTCOM denied media reports of several commercial vessels evading the blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

The Iranian rial hit a record low on Wednesday, dropping nearly 15 percent in the past two days as the blockade deepened Tehran’s economic strains.

Troy Meyers contributed to this report.