An F/A-18 fighter jet launches from the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while the ship sails in regional waters and supports enforcement of America’s 🇺🇸 steel wall blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 12, U.S. forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure full compliance with the blockade.

In coordination with the U.S. military, the U.S. Department of Energy maintains the best available data related to oil and oil products leaving the Arabian gulf. Many private businesses undercount the number of ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz due to ships moving covertly through the waterway.

Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port. A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect. As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled 3 non-compliant vessels, and boarded 2. U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the U.S. military and our gulf allies, the seven-day average for oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz is currently up to almost 9 million barrels per day. When combined with the additional 5-7 million barrels per day leaving the region via newly upgraded pipelines and export facilities, total oil flows are currently averaging approximately 15 million barrels per day.  On Sunday alone, over 20 million barrels left the Arabian gulf region, which is above the pre-conflict average.

.@POTUS: "Oil is lower than it was during the Biden Administration and I stopped [Iran] from having a nuclear weapon — because if I didn't do what I did, they would right now have a nuclear weapon, and you would be addressing them as 'Sir.'"

.@POTUS on Iran: "They're very devious negotiators because they'll agree to something, then they'll go out and tell the press that they never agreed to it. They're very dishonest people."

.@POTUS: "The only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the United States Navy. We have a blockade that's been infallible—it's a steel wall... We control the Strait, 100%."

From testing low-cost, long-range precision-strike systems to collecting critical operational data alongside defense industry engineers, this landmark demonstration shows where the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center is headed.    #AMTEC# #Morroco# @USEmbMorocco

U.S. Sailors stand watch on the bridge of USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of over 20 U.S. warships deployed to the Middle East supporting military missions, including strict enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 9, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance.

Today, we mark 25 years since the Hamas terrorist attack at the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem. We remember the 16 victims murdered—including Americans Judith Greenbaum, Chana Nachenberg, and Malki Roth—and the more than 120 others injured. The United States will never forget and remains committed to bringing the perpetrators, including Ahlam Ahmad al-Tamini, to justice.

U.S. Sailors conduct maintenance on F/A-18E Super Hornets on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to ensure carrier strike group assets remain mission ready to enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 8, CENTCOM redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. The U.S. military has also permitted more than 30 ships to pass through the blockade for humanitarian aid.

.@VP: We're talking to the Iranians, of course. We're trying to maximize the amount of oil and gas that is coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. We're just trying to make sure that we get what we need out of this particular conflict. We've destroyed their nuclear program, we've destroyed their conventional military, we've radically reduced their asymmetric military abilities, and right now, we're trying to see if they're willing to make the kind of long-term changes that would be necessary to have a better relationship with the United States—and if not, that's fine too. We're just going to keep on applying the pressure that we can apply and getting as much oil and gas out of the Middle East so that Americans can enjoy lower gas and energy prices.

The United States recognizes the first transport and handover of 15 detainees from DRC authorities to AFC/M23 under the Doha Framework's Prisoner Exchange Mechanism signed by the Government of the DRC and AFC/M23 last year. We deeply appreciate the vital coordinating role of the @ICRC in the safe handover of individuals from both sides. This successful handover signals growing momentum toward lasting peace and renewed trust among communities affected by the conflict. The United States thanks Qatar for its continued work with the ICRC on this process and encourages the parties to carry this momentum forward toward full implementation.

Following Iran’s attacks against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is sanctioning six entities and one individual that support illicit digital asset activities. We will continue to deny the regime the resources it needs to threaten its neighbors and innocent vessels, support terrorism, and advance its nuclear ambitions.

The United States welcomes the signing of a historic MOU between the Governments of Iraq and Syria on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline. This priority infrastructure project will advance security and stability through regional interconnectivity and prosperity. U.S. companies will play a key role in advancing construction.