US Imposes Maritime Blockade on Iran, Carrier Changes Route to Avoid Confrontation

The United States' carrier strike group centered around the USS George HW Bush has been forced to take a longer, roundabout route, sailing around South Africa, to avoid a potential clash with Iran or groups it supports in the Middle East region. The carrier has joined other US naval forces in the Arabian Sea to support the maritime blockade imposed on Iran. The blockade officially went into effect on Monday (13/4/2026) at 14:00 GMT and is being applied impartially to all ships from various countries entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The chosen route avoids the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which in recent years have been the site of attacks by Yemen's Houthi group. The USS George HW Bush is the third US aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East in this context, following the USS Gerald R Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln. This operational route change, as reported by the defense media USNI News, reflects an effort to minimize the risk of direct confrontation in the region. https://www.harianaceh.co.id/2026/04/14/nah-kapal-induk-as-terpaksa-berlayar-memutar-jauh-lewat-afsel-hindari-bentrok-dengan-iran/