US says naval blockade on Iran continues as tensions remain high in Strait of Hormuz

Washington: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz now requires military support, adding that the US Navy is assisting vessels seeking to transit the waterway. In an interview with CNN, Wright said the United States was cooperating with shipping fleets wishing to pass through the strait. He also said Iranian vessels were not transiting the Strait of Hormuz and described the situation as a growing challenge for the Iranian economy. According to Wright, the US Navy is helping commercial vessels cross the strait, although conditions have not returned to pre-conflict levels. Separately, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces continue to enforce a naval blockade on Iran. CENTCOM stated that, as of 6 September, US forces had diverted 92 commercial vessels, disabled three vessels and inspected two vessels as part of blockade enforcement measures. The command also said US military aircraft continue to patrol territorial waters while operations remain under way. Meanwhile, the US military rejected an Iranian claim that it had targeted an unmanned US military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, described the report carried by Iranian state media as "a complete lie". On the political front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iranian regime was approaching collapse and warned Tehran against launching further attacks on Israel. According to a statement published by the Israeli government, Netanyahu said Iran was fighting for its survival and that Israel was stronger than ever. He also said Iran would receive a response it "could not imagine" if it attacked Israel again. In a separate development, CENTCOM said the tanker M/T Kylo had sunk in the Gulf of Oman. In a post on X, the command said the vessel had sunk following a US military operation and released footage of the incident. Separately, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of several people in connection with a widely circulated video showing motorcyclists carrying flags of the People's Mujahedin Organisation, an opposition group banned in Iran. Iranian state television reported that authorities had identified and arrested all those appearing in the footage, alleging links to the organisation, but did not disclose the number of people detained. According to state television, the motorcycle convoy travelled through streets near the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, although the timing of the footage was not specified.