Caine says 13 ships made ‘wise decision’ to turn around amid US blockade

The Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, provided an update on the U.S.-imposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, saying that so far 13 ships have turned around and not passed through the passage. 

“The captains of all these ships made the wise decision not to move transit or run this blockade,” Caine told reporters during the Thursday morning briefing at the Pentagon. “So far, 13 ships have made the wise choice of turning around.”

“As we continue to hold this blockade at the order of the Secretary and the President, any vessel that fails to comply with our instructions will be dealt with accordingly,” Caine said. 

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) has not been required to board any of the vessels in the area as of Thursday morning, according to Caine, who added that the U.S. military is conducting similar maritime interdiction actions in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility against ships “that left that area before we began the blockade.” 

On Tuesday, the U.S. military said it had turned around six ships in its effort to pause the trade from Iranian ports as President Trump’s blockade went into effect on Monday. 

Caine said the blockade is enforced by fighter jets, intelligence aircraft, helicopters and other embarked forces, which also includes aerial refueling tankers. 

The enforcement of the blockade is normally led by a Navy destroyer, according to Caine. The USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is in the area as well.

Caine said a young Navy officer, normally on the bridge of the destroyers, would transmit the message to transiting ships, saying “do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure, transiting to or from Iranian ports, turn around or prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force.” 

The blockade went into effect following lengthy diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan in hopes of striking a deal, but the two sides did not manage to forge an agreement. 

Trump has left the door open to continued talks, while also warning of renewed bombing should Iran refuse to accept U.S. demands.

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