The US military has diverted 55 commercial ships during its ongoing naval blockade against Iran, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), highlighting the growing pressure on maritime traffic in the region.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the number of commercial vessels diverted had increased from 53 ships reported a day earlier. The latest figure indicates that US forces are continuing to enforce the maritime restrictions as tensions with Iran remain high.

According to CENTCOM, more than 20 US warships are currently deployed across the Middle East. The vessels are involved in several military missions, including enforcing the naval blockade against Iran.

The diversion of commercial ships could create concerns for international shipping and businesses that depend on major maritime routes in the region. Any prolonged disruption could also affect the movement of goods and increase uncertainty for shipping companies.

The US military has not provided detailed information about the individual vessels involved or explained how long the diverted ships were held away from their intended routes.

The latest development comes amid heightened military tensions between Washington and Tehran. The deployment of a large number of US naval vessels signals that the United States is maintaining a strong military presence in the region.

Meanwhile, the increasing number of diverted commercial ships is likely to draw further attention from the international shipping industry. The situation could develop further depending on US military operations and Iran’s response to the blockade.

The developments have raised fresh questions about the security of commercial shipping routes across the Middle East.