U.S. F-35A fighters join Iran blockade as 92 vessels redirected

September 6, 2026 at 09:15 PM2 min

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U.S. Central Command redirected 92 commercial vessels and disabled three while enforcing the maritime blockade against Iran as of September 6. U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters are supporting the operations with air surveillance and combat protection. The number of redirected vessels rose from 87 on September 3, adding five diversions in three days.

Key Facts

U.S. Central Command redirected 92 commercial vessels as of September 6, up from 87 on September 3.
Three vessels were disabled and two were boarded during blockade enforcement.
U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters are supporting the maritime blockade with air surveillance and combat protection.
CENTCOM has not disclosed the number of F-35As assigned, their squadron, operating base, weapons configuration, or specific tasking.

Blockade Enforcement

U.S. armed forces enforcing the maritime blockade against Iran have redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two as of September 6, according to U.S. Central Command. The September 6 update raises the number of redirected vessels from 87 reported on September 3, adding five diversions in three days, while the totals for disabled and boarded ships remain unchanged. The F-35A imagery confirms fifth-generation U.S. airpower is active over the same regional environment in which naval forces are sustaining the blockade.

F-35A Role

U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters are supporting these operations, adding advanced air surveillance and combat protection to naval forces controlling maritime traffic around Iran. The F-35A adds a significant capability layer through its low-observable characteristics, AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar, electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare systems, and sensor-fusion architecture. These systems allow the fighter to detect, classify, and track activity across a contested operational environment while combining information from multiple sensors into a common tactical picture. CENTCOM has only confirmed that an F-35A was patrolling regional waters while U.S. Air Force continued blockade enforcement, without identifying whether the sortie involved combat air patrol, surveillance, force protection, strike support, or another mission.