“Prepare for approach” AUDIO. What message is the US military sending to ships approaching the blockade?
The US Central Command on Wednesday provided details on how its military forces are maintaining order in the waters of the Gulf of Oman, in the context of the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
Images shared on social media include audio recordings made aboard a US military ship over the past two days, Sky News writes.
The US military's message to ships passing through the area is as follows:
- “The US has announced a formal blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas.
- This is a legal action.
- All vessels are advised to return to port immediately if departing and to discontinue transit to Iran if this is their next port of call.
- Do not attempt to break the blockade.
- Vessels transiting to or from an Iranian port will be boarded to prevent passage and capture.
- Turn around and prepare for the approach.
- If you do not respect this blockade, we will use force.“
US naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a US blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. US forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/dnHR2oz0ZN
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026
The announcement of the US military after the first 48 hours of the blockade
The US military said on Wednesday it had prevented nine ships from leaving Iranian ports in the first 48 hours of a maritime blockade imposed on Iran by US President Donald Trump.
After the failure of direct talks between the US and Iran held in Islamabad over the weekend, Trump announced the imposition of a naval blockade against Iran, which took effect on Monday, although at least two ships departing from Iranian ports were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime traffic monitoring data.
However, since the blockade was imposed on Monday, “nine ships have complied with the orders of US forces to return to an Iranian port or coastal area”, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday, in a statement published on the X social network, quoted by AFP and Agerpres.
“Not a single ship was able to get past the American forces,” insisted the US military command.
The Iranian military threatens the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman
Also on Wednesday, the Operational Command of Iran's armed forces warned that it would threaten shipping beyond the Strait of Hormuz if the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continued.
Thus, the Iranian military has threatened to suspend shipping operations in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the US continues its blockade of Iranian ports, believing that the US military operation may lead to a ceasefire violation.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command of Iran's armed forces, called the blockade “illegal” and said that if it continued, it would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
If the United States maintains its maritime blockade and “creates insecurity for Iranian merchant ships and oil tankers”, it will be the “prelude” to a violation of the ceasefire, which has been in effect since April 8, General Ali Abdollahi said.
“The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any export or import to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Red Sea,” the Iranian general added, according to a statement carried by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Iran is landlocked in the Red Sea, but exerts influence in the area through its regional allies, such as Yemen's Houthi rebel group, which has previously attacked ships in the area.
