U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces reached the milestone of redirecting 100 commercial vessels, May 23, while enforcing a maritime blockade against Iran.

American forces began implementing the blockade April 13 against commercial ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, in accordance with a presidential proclamation. Over the past six weeks, more than 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen have redirected 100 vessels, disabled four, and allowed 26 humanitarian aid ships to pass.

More than 200 U.S. aircraft and warships are supporting the mission, including the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and multiple guided-missile destroyers.

The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

There may be news later today. I don't have news for you at this very moment, but there might be some news a little later today. There may not be; I hope there will be, but I'm not sure yet.

The question is about the Iranian issue, and, as I said, there's been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done. There is a chance that whether it's later today, tomorrow, or in a couple days, we may have something to say.

But this issue needs to be solved, as the president has said, one way or the other. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be open without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium; they need to turn over their highly enriched uranium. We need to address that issue; we need to address the issue of enrichment. These are the President's points consistently, and his preference is always to deal with it in a diplomatic way.

The president's preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That's what we're working on right now. But this problem will be solved, as the president's made clear, one way or the other. We hope it's done through the diplomatic route; that's what we're working on, and perhaps there'll be something to talk about on that topic while I'm here on this trip.