CENTCOM Tightens the Noose: 48 Vessels Diverted in 20 Days as "Economic Rage" Paralyzes Iranian Ports

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday a significant milestone in its maritime enforcement operations, revealing that 48 vessels have been intercepted and diverted over the past 20 days. This operation is part of a rigorous naval blockade designed to ensure full compliance with U.S.-led sanctions on Iranian ports. To underscore its operational dominance, CENTCOM released imagery of the USS New Orleans actively patrolling the Arabian Sea, spearheading the mission to secure international waters.

The "Economic Rage" Doctrine and the Fall of the Shadow Fleet This escalation is a core component of President Donald Trump’s "Economic Rage" campaign. The strategy focuses on crippling Iran’s global trade by targeting the "Shadow Fleet"—a clandestine network of tankers used by Tehran to bypass international restrictions. By seizing assets and blocking oil exports, Washington aims to exert maximum pressure following the collapse of high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan. These measures are the economic extension of the military conflict initiated on February 28, known as operation "Epic Rage," conducted in coordination with Israeli forces.