U.S. widens Iran blockade to sanctioned ships and suspected contraband anywhere in region

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said all Iranian vessels, ships under active sanctions and those suspected of carrying contraband, including oil, weapons, iron and steel, were subject to visit, search and seizure anywhere in the Gulf, Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At a Pentagon briefing, Gen. Dan Caine said 13 ships had turned back and none had been boarded, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned bombing of Iranian power and energy infrastructure could follow if Iran “chooses poorly.”