US says it will pursue ships in Pacific Ocean supporting Iran
The US military said on Thursday that it will intercept any vessel, including those in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, that it believes is providing "material support" to Iran.
Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon that the "Joint Force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific… will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel, or any vessel, attempting to provide material support to Iran".
"This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil," he added.
Earlier this week, the US launched a blockade against Iran in response to its seizure of the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has implemented a preferential transit system allowing its own vessels out of the Gulf while blocking most bound for neighbouring Arab states.
The Islamic Republic is also working to introduce a toll system that could charge vessels up to $2m to pass through the waterway.
Caine defended the US blockade and said the "action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz".
"Enforcement will occur inside Iran’s territorial seas, and in international waters," he added.
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This article was sourced from Middle East Eye.
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