Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine described in detail on Thursday the current state of the US blockade of Iranian ports, warning any ship away from trying to cross the blockade line.
“This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” Caine said during a press conference at the Pentagon Thursday.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks as he displays a map showing the United States Navy’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 16, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.
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Enforcement of blockade will be in territorial seas and international waters, Caine said. Speaking in front of a map of the strait, Caine said that 13 ships had “made the wise choice” of turning around instead of attempting to traverse the waterway.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine displays a map showing the blockade line in the Strait of Hormuz during a briefing on the Iran war, at the Pentagon in Washington, April 16, 2026.
DoD
Caine said the US would “actively pursue any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.”
“This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil,” he added.
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