US forces turn back 38 ships from Iranian ports as maritime blockade continues

The United States Central Command CENTCOM has announced that American forces are maintaining a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region continuing to enforce a blockade against Iranian portsAccording to official statements these forces are actively preventing ships from entering or exiting Iranian waters as part of a sustained effort to monitor and control movement into strategic coastal hubs reported ANIThe enforcement comes as the military closely monitors maritime traffic to ensure compliance with the ongoing restrictions Highlighting the scale of the operation a post on X confirmed that American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to portA US Sailor watches a commercial ship as US forces continue to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports preventing ships from entering or exiting American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port pictwittercomTrtc41NZypmdash US Central Command CENTCOM April 27 2026Against the backdrop of this intense maritime squeeze and a persistent deadlock in TehranWashington peace negotiations Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for a highlevel meeting with President Vladimir PutinThis visit to Moscow marks a significant intensification of Irans diplomatic outreach following Araghchis recent highstakes consultations in Islamabad and Muscat The diplomatic push in the Russian capital is expected to deepen as the Foreign Minister is also set to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey LavrovThese discussions come at a critical juncture particularly after US President Donald Trumps decision on Saturday to cancel a scheduled visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner The cancellation appeared to stall direct mediation efforts at a time when regional tensions are at a peak reported ANIIran sends backchannel messages to US amid Hormuz crisis talks stallAccording to ANI despite the diplomatic setback communications between the two adversaries appear to remain active through backchannels According to the Fars news agency Tehran has transmitted written messages to the Americans via PakistanThese communications reportedly define specific red lines regarding Irans nuclear programme and the strategic situation in the Strait of Hormuz The urgency of these exchanges is underscored by the broader regional instability and its severe global falloutWhile the ceasefire involving the United States Israel and Iran has generally remained intact Irans decision to shut the Strait of Hormuz has crippled the global movement of oil gas and fertiliser This disruption has led to a surge in prices and escalating fears of food insecurity in developing countriesInitial hopes for a second round of negotiations in Pakistan were closely linked to the proposed visit by Witkoff and Kushner However those prospects were dampened when President Trump abruptly cancelled the mission dismissing the potential for progress by describing the process as sitting around talking about nothingNevertheless following the cancellation of the highprofile Islamabad talks last week fresh signs of diplomatic movement have surfaced According to a report by Axios which cited a US official Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a new proposal aimed at the dual objectives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the warAs part of this diplomatic framework Iran has also suggested a move to postpone nuclear negotiations until a subsequent phase of the peace process offering a potential pathway to deescalate the maritime and economic crisis reported ANIInputs from ANI