US expands blockade to include contraband shipments

 The United States Navy announced on Thursday that it has widened its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports in order to include contraband shipments.

"In addition to enforcing the blockade, all Iranian vessels, vessels with active OFAC [Office of Foreign Assets Control] sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband are subject to belligerent rights to visit and search," the navy said in an advisory, adding that suspected vessels will be subjected to visit, board, search and seizure, regardless of location.

It was also noted that contraband refers to weapons, weapons systems, ammunition, nuclear materials, crude and refined oil products, as well as iron, steel and aluminum.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-expands-blockade-to-include-contraband-shipments/66084602