An American naval destroyer stopped two Iranian oil tankers and directed them to return to port on Tuesday, marking the second day of President Donald Trump’s maritime blockade against Iran, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity.
The vessels had departed from Chabahar port along the Gulf of Oman when the American warship made radio contact with them, the official reported. Details about any additional warnings issued remain unknown.
This incident provides new insight into the early stages of Trump’s blockade strategy, designed to compel Iran to stop its effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments.
The president hopes this naval operation will force Iran to agree to American demands for concluding a conflict that began February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli military action, particularly requiring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has indicated this condition is also part of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran set to end next week.
Policy experts remain skeptical about the blockade’s effectiveness. Noam Raydan from The Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted that tracking information did confirm one tanker reversing course after the blockade started, but warned that many vessels involved in Iranian oil operations disable their tracking systems.
“We just don’t know yet how effective it is. We are still in day two,” Raydan stated.
The U.S. official confirmed these two tankers were part of six commercial ships that U.S. Central Command announced earlier Tuesday had complied with orders to “turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.”
Central Command reported that no vessels have successfully bypassed the blockade since its Monday launch at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
The blockade represents a substantial military operation requiring more than 10,000 American service members, over twelve warships, and numerous aircraft, according to military officials.
U.S. military commanders say they will continue protecting navigation rights for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, provided those vessels are not traveling to or from Iranian ports.
Trump declared the blockade after weekend negotiations to end the ongoing conflict collapsed. Oil markets initially spiked above $100 per barrel before retreating Tuesday amid speculation about renewed diplomatic talks.
Should Trump’s approach prove successful, it would remove Iran’s primary bargaining chip in discussions with Washington and restore normal commercial traffic through the strait. However, military analysts warn that blockades constitute acts of war requiring sustained deployment of substantial naval forces.
Such action could also prompt new Iranian retaliation and place additional stress on the already tenuous ceasefire agreement.
Iranian threats against shipping have driven global oil prices up roughly 50%. The conflict has claimed approximately 5,000 lives so far.
Extensive U.S. military strikes have significantly damaged Iran’s armed forces. Nevertheless, experts believe Tehran has emerged from the fighting as a persistent challenge for Washington, now featuring more hardline leadership and hidden reserves of weapons-grade uranium.
Raydan predicted likely Iranian countermeasures if the blockade proves effective and continues long-term, highlighting Iranian warnings to attack Gulf nations hosting U.S. military bases and Iran’s history of targeting commercial vessels.
“We’re in the testing period,” Raydan concluded.
