WASHINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that its forces are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports, impartially targeting vessels of all nations.

"During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade," it said on X, noting that over 10,000 sailors, marines and airmen, along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are executing the blockade.

It added that six merchant vessels complied with the direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.

The blockade covers Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, it said. ■