US blockade at Strait of Hormuz continues, 9 vessels made to return to Iranian ports in 48 hours, says CENTCOM

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that during the first 48 hours of the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, "no vessels have made it past US forces."

"Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

However, maritime tracking data appeared to contradict the US assertion, news agency AFP reported.

It posted photos and audio of its warships and operations in the area, saying more than 10,000 personnel were deployed for the blockade "against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas".

Data contradict US' claim

Tracking data from Tuesday indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.

The three ships were among at least seven Iran-linked vessels that passed through the strait after Washington's blockade came into effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, according to maritime data provider Kpler.

Tehran's forces effectively closed the strait after the start of the US-Israeli air campaign against the Islamic Republic on February 28, and the US on Sunday announced its blockade of Iranian ports after peace talks failed.

US Central Command said it has achieved “maritime superiority” and that the blockade on Iranian ports had been “fully implemented” within 36 hours of its launch, according to a statement on social media late Monday.

Trump says Iran war 'close to over'

US President Donald Trump said the war he launched with Israel over Iran was close to over, as the army chief of mediator Pakistan arrived in Tehran to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict.

The diplomatic push came as US and Iranian officials weighed a return to Pakistan for further talks after negotiations there ended on Sunday without a breakthrough.

"I think you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead," Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, according to a post by the reporter on X, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend the ceasefire.

"I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean I view it as very close to over," Trump said in an interview on Fox Business Network conducted Tuesday and broadcast Wednesday. "We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly."

(With inputs from agencies)