U.S. Navy Intercepts Merchant Ship in Arabian Sea

The U.S. Central Command announced via social media that the U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer, USS Pinckney, deployed an armed helicopter to intercept a merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea. According to Odaily, the ship complied with U.S. instructions and was escorted back to Iran by the U.S. Navy. The statement further noted that the U.S. military will continue to enforce a comprehensive blockade on ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 vessels have been redirected. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on April 13 that the blockade on all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports commenced at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Iran has responded by labeling the U.S. actions as an act of war, claiming it violates the ceasefire agreement.