PANews reported on April 26 that, according to CCTV News, the U.S. Central Command issued a statement on social media stating that the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney intercepted a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea that day using armed helicopters. The merchant ship subsequently returned to Iran under U.S. military instructions and escorted by U.S. warships. The statement also indicated that the U.S. military will continue its comprehensive blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 ships have been forced to divert. U.S. President Trump stated on April 13 that the U.S. had imposed a blockade on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Time that day. Iran, however, stated that the U.S. action constituted an act of war and violated the ceasefire agreement.