Iran-linked vessels pass through Hormuz ahead of US blockade

By Florence Tan SINGAPORE, July 15 (Reuters) - The number of vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz ticked up on Tuesday, with most of them linked to Iranian trade, before a U.S. blockade took effect on Wednesday, shipping data showed. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday reimposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and threatened to hit power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations, in the latest escalation of the U.S. conflict with Iran.