US goes public with force threat as Iran blockade enters hard phase?

The U.S. Navy has intensified its maritime campaign targeting Iranian oil shipments as Washington seeks to tighten pressure on Tehran's energy exports. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces have redirected dozens of vessels, disabled others, and boarded ships during enforcement operations in regional waters. Meanwhile, advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) claims no Iranian oil tanker has successfully evaded the U.S. maritime blockade since July 12, with dozens of tankers reportedly waiting off Iran's coast. The group estimates that millions of barrels of Iranian oil have still left the Gulf of Oman, generating billions of dollars in revenue that it alleges support Iran's missile and drone programs.