Iranian ports locked down: U.S. naval blockade halts all ship movement in first day

A dramatic escalation unfolded in the Gulf of Oman as no vessels were able to breach the newly imposed U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports during its first 24 hours. U.S. Central Command confirmed that six merchant ships had turned back under direct orders from American warships, reentering an Iranian port to comply with the interdiction. The blockade, launched at 10 a.m. Monday, marks a sharp increase in pressure on Tehran following failed peace negotiations in Pakistan last weekend. This oper