New footage from U.S. Central Command shows an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter launching off the deck of the USS Rafael Peralta as the destroyer continues enforcing Washington's naval blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea. As of September 15, CENTCOM says U.S. forces have redirected 103 commercial vessels attempting to sail to or from Iranian ports, part of a sweeping effort to choke off maritime traffic tied to the country. Ships not connected to Iran are still allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping global shipping lanes open even as the pressure campaign against Tehran intensifies. The operation marks one of the most visible U.S. military footholds in the region since tensions with Iran flared again earlier this year.

This is the second phase of the blockade, reimposed in mid-July after a brief ceasefire collapsed in June, and it has already delivered a real economic blow to Iran. Tanker traffic in and out of Iranian waters has been sharply curtailed, cutting into the oil loadings and export revenue Tehran depends on to keep its economy afloat. U.S. officials have framed the blockade as a way to squeeze Iran without resorting to further direct military strikes, betting that economic isolation will force concessions. With the vessel count climbing week over week, the standoff in the Gulf of Oman shows no signs of easing anytime soon.