CENTCOM Says Iran Blockade Has Denied IRGC $30 Billion or More in Oil Exports

U.S. Central Command said on November 11 that its naval blockade of Iran had prevented the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from exporting an estimated $30 billion or more in crude oil. In an operational update, the command said nearly 150 ships had been redirected and five disabled since July after attempting to violate the blockade. CENTCOM described the blockade as covering all Iranian ports and coastal areas, with ships requiring U.S. permission to enter or leave those ports. It said American forces were continuing to enforce the restrictions while supporting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly 4,000 ships have passed through the strait with U.S. support, according to the command, while 1.7 billion barrels of crude oil have moved under American protection since summer. CENTCOM described an international maritime corridor measuring 21 nautical miles across at its narrowest point and said: “Primary transit routes remain clear of sea mines.” The update also outlined Task Force Iron Gate, established on November 7 to coordinate efforts against illicit transfers across Iran’s borders and the Caspian Sea. The task force has 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida, and works with U.S. interagency partners. Its stated targets include advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams.