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Over 10,000 US troops are enforcing the Iran blockade, but no ships boarded so far, military says

April 16, 2026
Over 10,000 US troops are enforcing the Iran blockade, but no ships boarded so far, military says

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 10,000 American troops are helpingenforce the blockadeon Iranian ports, and while no ships have yet been boarded, the U.S. military said Thursday that it is warning Iran-linked ships that it could fire warning shots or escalate to other force if they try to outrun the Navy.

Associated Press Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Pentagon US Iran

In the first three days of the military action, 14 ships have turned around rather than confront the naval blockade, according to U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Iran war.

Some Iran-linked or sanctioned vessels that have left the Persian Gulf throughthe Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway for energy shipments, have appeared to halt their movements, turn off their radio transponders or head back toward Iran's coast, shipping data firms say.

Vessels that approach the blockade, which is being enforced in Iran’s territorial seas and international waters and not in the Strait of Hormuz, are given a warning, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon.

“Any ship that would cross the blockade would result in our sailors executing pre-planned tactics designed to bring the force to that ship — if need be, board the ship and take her over,” he said.

U.S. Central Command released a recording of a radio broadcast sent to vessels in the region that said the military was ready to use force if needed to compel compliance with the blockade.

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“Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure transiting to or from Iranian port,” the message said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that “less than 10% of America’s naval power” is being used to enforce the blockade. The Navy has 16 warships — 11 destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, an aircraft carrier, and a littoral combat ship — in the Middle East out of a battle force of roughly 300 total warships.

Also supporting the blockade is a series of different aircraft as well as surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence operations designed to give the Navy the latest information on the vessels it is encountering.

Restricting Iran's sea access is a global effort, Caine said, and U.S. military assets in other parts of the world, including in the Pacific, would pursue vessels illegally shipping Iranian oil or trying to provide material support to Tehran.

Caine noted the congestion of the area around the blockade, likening it to a crowded parking lot and U.S. destroyers to high-powered sports cars.

“There is a lot out there," Caine said. "It is like driving a sports car through a supermarket parking lot on a payday weekend, with thousands of kids in that parking lot, as you attempt to maneuver through there to get to that ship that would attempt to run that blockade.”
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We asked AI to predict Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path. Here are the results

April 16, 2026
We asked AI to predict Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path. Here are the results

Two things are true when it comes to the future: you don't know what it holds and you would like to know what it holds.

USA TODAY Sports

Everyone is different, but there is clearly a market for the fortune teller profession. If there weren't, we wouldn't have random genies at arcades attempting to signal what is coming next. Fortune cookies wouldn't exist. The psychic industry would cease to exist, and don't even get us started on the Magic 8-Ball.

The modern world has gifted us plenty of conveniences and luxuries, things that would've been unimaginable previously. One of them is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which often replaces organic intelligence in the name of convenience.

Whatever the reason, USA TODAY Sports has enjoyed peeling back the curtain behind the technology to test its skills as it relates to the NFL. After plenty ofmock drafts, including one that is probably theworst of all-time, we decided to take it to a new level.

PredictingFernando Mendoza'scareer ahead of the2026 NFL Draft.

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We askedMicrosoft Copilotto "predict Fernando Mendoza's career path, including record, awards, Super Bowl wins, teams and other key stats," to see what happened.The chatbot gave us a modern-day time capsule, which we can look back on and track its success.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana <p style=2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State <p style=24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson <p style=26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M 28. Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech <p style=29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State 31. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri <p style=32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection

Fernando Mendoza career stats projected by AI

Copilot projects that Mendoza will play 14 NFL seasons and suit up for the Raiders, Vikings and Jets. It believes he will make a playoff appearance in 50% of those seasons and hoist one Lombardi Trophy.

The chatbot summed up Mendoza's career like this:

"A high‑accuracy, timing‑based franchise quarterback who peaks as an MVP and Super Bowl champion, with a long, stable, productive career," Copilot said. "Not a generational GOAT, but absolutely a franchise cornerstone and a champion."

  • NFL Career: 2026–2039 (14 seasons)

  • Teams:

    • Las Vegas Raiders (2026–2033)

    • Minnesota Vikings (2034–2037)

    • New York Jets (2038–2039)

  • Career Record as Starter: 108–83

  • Playoff Appearances: 7

  • Super Bowl Appearances: 1

  • Super Bowl Wins: 1

  • MVP Awards: 1

  • Pro Bowls: 4

  • All‑Pro Selections: 1 (Second Team)

  • Career Stats:

    • Completion %: 66.8%

    • Passing Yards: 47,900

    • TD–INT: 324–142

    • Passer Rating: 96.4

Fernando Mendoza career path prediction

2026 — Rookie Season (Raiders)

  • Record: 6–11

  • Stats: 3,420 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT, 63%

  • Shows accuracy and poise but struggles behind a shaky line.

  • Finishes 2nd in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

2027 — Breakout Year

  • Record: 9–8 (Wild Card berth)

  • Stats: 4,080 yards, 27 TD, 10 INT

  • Raiders lose in wild-card round.

  • Mendoza earns his first Pro Bowl.

2028 — Ascending

  • Record: 10–7

  • Stats: 4,300 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT

  • Raiders win a playoff game for the first time in years.

  • Mendoza is now viewed as a top‑12 QB.

2029 — MVP Season

  • Record: 12–5

  • Stats: 4,650 yards, 38 TD, 8 INT, 70%

  • Wins NFL MVP.

  • Raiders reach AFC Championship Game but lose to a veteran powerhouse.

2030 — Regression but Still Strong

  • Record: 9–8

  • Stats: 4,100 yards, 26 TD, 13 INT

  • Offensive line injuries derail the season.

2031 — Peak Efficiency

  • Record: 11–6

  • Stats: 4,350 yards, 33 TD, 9 INT

  • Named second‑team All‑Pro.

  • Raiders lose in divisional round.

2032 — The Decline Begins

  • Record: 7–10

  • Stats: 3,900 yards, 22 TD, 15 INT

  • Coaching turnover hurts development.

2033 — Final Raiders Season

  • Record: 8–9

  • Stats: 3,750 yards, 21 TD, 12 INT

  • Raiders draft a QB; Mendoza hits free agency.

2034 — Minnesota Vikings era begins

A fresh start revitalizes him.

  • Record: 10–7

  • Stats: 4,200 yards, 29 TD, 11 INT

  • Vikings lose in wild-card round.

2035 — Super Bowl Run

  • Record: 12–5

  • Stats: 4,450 yards, 34 TD, 9 INT

  • Vikings reach Super Bowl LXX, defeating the Ravens.

  • Mendoza wins Super Bowl MVP.

2036

  • Record: 9–8

  • Stats: 3,980 yards, 24 TD, 13 INT

2037

  • Record: 8–9

  • Stats: 3,600 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT

  • Vikings move on to a younger QB.

2038 — New York Jets era begins (Final stop)

  • Record: 7–10

  • Stats: 3,200 yards, 17 TD, 12 INT

2039 — Retirement Year

  • Record: 5–12

  • Stats: 2,450 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT

  • Announces retirement at age 36.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana <p style=2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State <p style=24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson <p style=26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M 28. Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech <p style=29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State 31. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri <p style=32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection

Fernando Mendoza career achievements projected by AI

  • 1× NFL MVP

  • 1× Super Bowl Champion

  • 1× Super Bowl MVP

  • 4× Pro Bowler

  • 1× All‑Pro (Second Team)

  • Top‑25 all‑time in passing yards and TDs

  • Franchise records for Raiders and Vikings in multiple categories

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Fernando Mendoza NFL draft: AI predicts QB's career stats, awards, more
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