Pressure on Iran's finances continues amid stalled end-of-war negotiations
![The Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 3, with vessels anchored in the waterway. [Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/08/news-p.v1.20260608.764072081bb74f0893d9247e7007f841_P1.jpg)
The US military said Sunday it has turned back 132 vessels through a maritime blockade targeting Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said on X that "as of June 7, CENTCOM has diverted 132 merchant vessels and neutralized 6 to enforce compliance" with the blockade measures.
The United States reached a truce with Iran on April 7 and began imposing a maritime blockade on April 13, cutting off vessel traffic to and from Iranian ports in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The move is designed to squeeze Iran's finances and gain leverage in end-of-war negotiations.
Amid stalled negotiations, President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled optimism in recent weeks, saying progress has been made and a deal could come soon. In an NBC interview Thursday, he said Iran is "strong and proud" but added that it has "no choice," keeping up the pressure.
yckim6452@heraldcorp.com
