Monitoring Agency Reports Two Ships Departing Iran Pass Through Strait of Hormuz; US Military Claims Over 10,000 Personnel Enforcing Port Blockade, Six Vessels Turn Back on First Day

Recent reports indicate that although the Trump administration claims to have initiated a "blockade order" on Iranian ports, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz does not appear to have been completely cut off. On Tuesday, Eastern Time, Kpler, a company monitoring maritime traffic, announced via CCTV News that two vessels departed from Iran and successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite facing a US blockade. According to Xinhua News Agency, the US Central Command stated on social media on Tuesday that over 10,000 US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel, more than ten warships, and dozens of aircraft are executing missions to block vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. Xinhua also reported that US President Trump confirmed on Monday that the US military had implemented a blockade on all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Monday, January 13. A post released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday revealed that during the first 24 hours of the US blockade on Iranian ports, no vessel successfully broke through the cordon. Instead, six commercial ships complied with US instructions, turning around and returning to an Iranian port along the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The post stated that this blockade operation targets vessels from all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, enforcing strict and equal control. The scope covers all Iranian ports along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Simultaneously, the US is committed to maintaining freedom of navigation, ensuring that ships traveling between non-Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz can pass smoothly. Subsequently, a US official told US media that in the first 24 hours of the blockade on Iranian ports, the US issued warnings to six vessels, ordering them to stop and return, citing violations of US blockade regulations. All six vessels eventually turned back. Five of these ships were carrying oil, with two ordered to return within the first two hours after the blockade began. To date, the US military has not fired any shots nor boarded any vessels for inspection. According to another US media report, US officials stated that the US Navy is currently not providing escort services for any vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, safety assurances have been conveyed to commercial ships, encouraging their passage. The US has not imposed a comprehensive blockade on the strait, but rather only on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports along Iran's entire coastline. Citing US media, CCTV reported that two US officials stated that vessels associated with Iran seized during the US blockade operation on Iranian ports would be transferred to temporary holding areas in the Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean until a "permanent disposition location" is determined. The officials noted that the US might employ drones to strike fast boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but aside from this, there are currently no plans to fire upon oil tankers departing Iranian ports. Iranian Media Claims Trump's Monday Remarks on Strait of Hormuz Navigation Contradict Reality Xinhua previously mentioned that on Monday, Trump stated that 34 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the 12th, and added that "other countries will help" the US block Iranian ports, without specifying which countries, only indicating that the US might release relevant information on the 14th. However, according to Iranian media reports on Tuesday, Trump's statements regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz do not align with the actual situation. The report stated that based on some on-site information and unofficial analysis, navigation in the area remains significantly restricted. Influenced by regional security conditions, vessel traffic has decreased, and some shipping companies are considering adjusting routes due to rising risks. Analysis suggests that Trump's related remarks should be viewed as statements serving public opinion and political needs rather than accurately reflecting the actual situation. Analysts State US Blockade Appears Consistent with Naval Warfare Rules According to a US media report on Tuesday, an analyst pointed out that the US Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz appears to comply with the rules of naval warfare. The media noted that unlike Trump's previous announcement to completely close the entire strait, the wording of the blockade notice released by the US Central Command on Tuesday was much more cautious, limiting its scope to vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. The media cited Alexander Lott, a research professor at the Centre for Maritime Law at the Arctic University of Norway, stating: "This looks like a lawful blockade. The commencement of the blockade action has been notified to all relevant parties, indeed to the whole world." Lott stated that once a vessel violates the blockade regulations, such as departing from an Iranian port, the US Navy will order the vessel to stop. If necessary, the US military will attempt to board and detain it. If the vessel refuses to obey orders, the US also has the right to use force. The media pointed out whether this blockade is effective—i.e., whether the US Navy can effectively intercept vessels—remains to be seen. Although several Iranian vessels have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz, no vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports have appeared since the blockade notice was issued.