U.S. military turned back six ships in first 24 hours of Iranian port blockade

During the first 24 hours of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, American warships issued warnings to six vessels, prompting them to turn around.

During the first 24 hours of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, American warships issued warnings to six vessels, prompting them to turn around, a U.S. official said Tuesday.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

No shots were fired in the encounters, the official said, and U.S. personnel did not board any of the vessels before they reversed course.

Five of the ships were carrying oil, according to the official. The contents of the sixth vessel were not immediately clear. Two of the oil-carrying ships turned back in the first two hours after the blockade went into effect Monday morning.