The US has deployed more than 15 warships to enforce the blockade around Iran’s ports and maritime areas, including the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), which has been deployed to the Arabian Sea. 5th generation fighter jets F-35B Lightning II and MV-22 Ospreys aircraft have been deployed on it.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the blockade started at around 7.30 pm Indian time. It will be impartially enforced against all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It said that the US military will not stop ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz coming from non-Iranian ports.
USS Tripoli (LHA 7) conducts night flight operations while sailing in the Arabian Sea. Tripoli is designed without a traditional well deck, which allows for more F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, helicopters, and extra maintenance space. During peak operations,… pic.twitter.com/zjQO1nOcmK
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 13, 2026
“USS Tripoli (LHA 7) is conducting night patrol while sailing in the Arabian Sea,” CentCom said in a statement. The Tripoli is designed without a conventional well deck, allowing more F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets and MV-22 Ospreys helicopters to be deployed. It can deploy more than 20 F-35B fighter jets in times of war.
US President Donald Trump warned on Monday that any Iranian attacking ship coming near the blockade would be immediately destroyed. In a post on social media, he claimed that most of Iran’s navy had already been destroyed during the war.
Trump posted and said, ‘Iran’s navy is lying at the bottom of the sea, completely destroyed – 158 ships. We have not targeted some of their ships which they call ‘fast attack ships’ because we did not consider them a major threat. WARNING: If any of these ships come close to our blockade they will be immediately destroyed, in the same manner we take action against drug dealers aboard boats at sea. This is quick and brutal action. 98.2% of drugs coming into America by sea or ocean have been stopped!’
This blockade by America has been done after the failure of talks in Pakistan. The delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and including special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner went to Islamabad, but did not succeed in striking a deal. After this Trump announced that America would blockade Iranian ports.