Four vessels transit Strait of Hormuz amid US-imposed blockade

Tehran. Four vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz since last night. According to BBC tracking, a total of four ships have exited the region since the US Central Command (CENTCOM) imposed a blockade.

Activity in the region is being closely monitored after CENTCOM announced a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting Monday. Following a statement issued by CENTCOM on Sunday night at 21:52 BST, vessel tracking data provided by MarineTraffic showed four ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

All the vessels that crossed are reported to be tankers, which typically carry oil, gas, or chemicals. Preliminary data indicates no direct link to Iran, nor has it been confirmed that they were heading to or coming from Iranian ports.

However, the BBC noted that the data used for analysis is based on information broadcast by the ships themselves and remains subject to verification. Meanwhile, CENTCOM has announced the deployment of two US Navy destroyers, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy, to the region.

These ships are reportedly involved in an operation to clear naval mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). As the deadline for the blockade approaches, vessel movement in the Hormuz region is being continuously monitored.