Summary

The U.S. military said it has redirected 100 commercial vessels over the past 60 days while enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran, underscoring the high-stakes security dynamic in the critical Strait of Hormuz. In a statement released Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that "ZERO ships have passed through the blockade without U.S. forces allowing" them, emphasizing that American service members remain "laser focused" on the ongoing mission. The disclosure highlights the breadth of U.S. naval operations in the region as diplomatic efforts to stabilize the vital waterway remain stalled. Newsweek contacted CENTCOM on Saturday for additional details regarding the rerouted vessels. The conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which erupted in late February, has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a primary global flashpoint. The narrow corridor handles a substantial portion of the world's petroleum and natural gas transit, making any disruption a threat to international energy markets, supply chains, and broader economic stability. CENTCOM's update reflects the logistical and tactical scale required to maintain maritime control amid the ongoing confrontation. The military reiterated that all commercial traffic navigating the blockade zone does so strictly under U.S. authorization. The development coincides with the Trump administration's broader maximum-pressure strategy against Tehran, which combines military enforcement with economic sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports and regional influence. Latest on the Strait of Hormuz According to Reuters, an Iranian official said no formal agreement on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be signed during a meeting in Oman on Monday, despite ongoing discussions involving regional stakeholders. While negotiations are continuing, officials don't expect an immediate deal that would resolve the security concerns surrounding commercial shipping, Reuters reported. The lack of an expected agreement suggests uncertainty could continue in the coming weeks, even as regional governments seek ways to reduce tensions and restore confidence in maritime traffic through the waterway. Meanwhile, security concerns remain elevated. Recent weeks have included reports of attacks on commercial shipping, military strikes and competing claims from Washington and Tehran over who controls access to the strait. U.S. officials say the mission is intended to protect maritime commerce, while Iran has condemned the blockade and argued it interferes with lawful trade and navigation. Iran's Response Iran has pushed back against the U.S.-led maritime operation, arguing that security in the Strait of Hormuz should be managed by countries in the region rather than outside powers. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Iran and Oman plan to brief Gulf countries during Monday's meeting on the results of consultations concerning the safe passage of ships through the strategically important waterway. Baghaei said Tehran believes regional nations should work together to guarantee maritime security and build confidence without foreign intervention. He added that Iran and Oman had conducted the consultations in their capacity as the two coastal states bordering the strait, Al Jazeera reported. Baghaei also accused the United States of continuing "military aggression" against Iran, arguing that Washington's economic measures and what he described as a U.S. blockade are part of that campaign. He said Iran considered its actions to be self-defense and maintained that Tehran remains open to diplomatic efforts while protecting its national security interests, according to the report. Impact on American Consumers The ongoing war in Iran has effectively put a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which normally permits the transit of one fifth of the world’s supply of oil. Dramatically diminished traffic through the strait and attacks on transiting vessels from Tehran have fueled fears of supply shortages, making crude oil prices surge. Diesel prices in the U.S. soared past $6 per gallon on Friday, hitting a new all-time high. As of Saturday afternoon, the national average gas price was $4.31 per gallon, according to AAA. Energy prices have risen all across the world and across the country, with diesel being hit harder than gas as it depends heavily on refinery output and global freight markets. Higher gas and diesel prices have pushed up the cost of living in the U.S. over the past few months, forcing Americans to pay significantly more than they did before the war. "Every truck, every delivery, every package, every grocery run just got more expensive. The cost of moving everything in America just hit a record," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, wrote on X on Friday. Diesel is used to power many commercial vehicles, including freight and delivery trucks, as well as trains, agricultural equipment, and construction machinery. And some businesses facing higher costs as a result of these increases have already passed on this additional pressure to consumers in the form of added fees. Rising diesel prices could have "broad inflationary consequences," according to Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. "Higher fuel costs can increase agricultural production expenses, place upward pressure on freight rates and transportation costs, and raise heating bills," he said in a statement shared with Newsweek. For months, President Donald Trump has minimized the impact of the war on Americans and has insisted that prices will come down as soon as the conflict is over. This week, he admitted that "it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterms" for gas prices to come down, as he told reporters while en route to Dallas. But he added: "Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward." Contact Newsweek editor for this story: Anthony Murray.