The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that a full blockade of Iranian ports has been successfully enforced, with US forces claiming control over key maritime routes in the region, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Axar.az reports that, in a statement posted on CENTCOM’s X account, Admiral Brad Cooper said that within 36 hours of the operation’s start, US forces had effectively halted all maritime trade to and from Iran.

"A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. An estimated 90 per cent of Iran's economy is fueled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea," the statement read.