US intending to accelerate pressure on Iran-linked ships worldwide within days – WSJ

(SeaPRwire) –   Washington is reportedly seeking to increase pressure on Tehran, extending beyond the naval blockade, to compel the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of its nuclear program

According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, the US military is getting ready to locate, intercept, and board oil tankers associated with Iran, as well as seize commercial ships connected to Tehran in international waters across the globe.

This action is a component of a wider strategy known as “Operation Economic Fury,” which targets the severance of Iran’s critical revenue and supply lines. The US Navy is anticipated to launch this operation “in the coming days.”

Earlier this week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine cautioned that the US might extend its operations against Iran’s maritime network outside the region.

“The joint force… will 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 stated, indicating that the campaign would extend beyond the Persian Gulf.

This initiative is designed to support the US naval blockade of Iran, initiated on April 13, which focuses on all ships entering or exiting Iranian ports along the coast. US CENTCOM reports that it has intercepted or diverted at least 23 vessels to date, with projections estimating Iran’s daily export losses between $400 and $435 million.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly informed the publication that President Donald Trump is confident the blockade and the new maritime actions will assist in securing an agreement with Tehran. Trump had previously pledged to sustain the blockade until a deal is made, warning that he would restart strikes if negotiations do not yield results by Wednesday.

Tehran has denounced the blockade as “an act of piracy” and retaliated by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz again earlier Saturday, amid reports that Iranian forces opened fire on commercial ships. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, declared that Iran would not permit transit if its own cargo is obstructed, criticizing the US blockade as “foolish.”

This report emerges as a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran is due to end next week, following discussions in Pakistan last weekend that concluded without progress and with no further talks planned. The primary point of contention remains Iran’s nuclear program. Trump insists that Tehran dismantle its infrastructure and surrender its enriched uranium—demands that Iran has turned down.

On Saturday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh maintained that Tehran is not prepared to resume negotiations with Washington because of its “maximalist” requirements regarding enriched uranium, describing them as “a non-starter.”