On April 17, the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrolled the Arabian Sea as part of U.S. efforts to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 21 ships have been directed by U.S. forces to turn back and return to Iran.

On April 17, the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrolled the Arabian Sea as part of U.S. efforts to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 21 ships have been directed by U.S. forces to turn back and return to Iran.

U.S. Central Command announced that since the start of the maritime blockade of Iran, it has prevented 27 Iranian ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraqi militants supported by the Islamic Republic have launched hundreds of explosive drones at Saudi Arabia and Kuwait over the past five weeks. Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, are reportedly considering strikes against Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq.
On April 21, 2026, the Deputy Governor of Hormozgan announced the completion of an operation to neutralize and conduct a controlled explosion of unexploded projectiles in Bandar Abbas. The IRGC also reported that controlled explosions were heard in the Soffeh area of Isfahan and will continue into the afternoon.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted, with only 12 ships passing through in the past 24 hours, according to NBC News and MarineTraffic data. Four of these ships were flagged by the Islamic Republic, and most navigated through the route near Bandar Abbas approved by the Islamic Republic.
Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) patrols the Arabian Sea, April 17, as U.S. forces enforce the naval blockade on ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. Since commencement of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to Show more