On the 17th, CENTCOM Commander General Cooper stated that the US military has sufficient resources to continuously monitor and blockade ships entering and leaving Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: "As long as the President orders it to be maintained, we will keep it effective."
Cooper said that the US monitoring covers every Iranian port, including aerial reconnaissance via MQ-9 Reaper drones and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. "We have the capability to continue this operation for as long as necessary."
He pointed out that since the beginning of this blockade operation, not a single US naval vessel has come under attack. As of the 17th, a total of 19 ships have attempted to break through the blockade, but all returned to port after warnings from the US military, and no incidents occurred.
He said that the US military has now begun minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Cooper refused to disclose the specific number of naval mines, only saying the amount is "completely within our clearing capabilities."
On the same day, CENTCOM posted a video on social media stating the naval blockade continues, showing US service members practicing helicopter fast-roping, boarding, and inspection operations.