The United States military has announced that it will enforce a maritime blockade on Iran beginning April 13, acting on a directive from President Donald Trump.
The measure will apply uniformly to vessels of all nationalities operating in and around Iranian ports and coastal regions, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
“We will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
"The blockade will be enforced impartially 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.”
CENTCOM added that the US forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
It has advised mariners to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and maintain communication with US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge Channel 16 while operating in the Gulf of Oman and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s announcement of the blockade came after US-Israel talks in Islamabad failed to reach an agreement.
In a social media post, Trump said the US would take action against any vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran. He said the US forces will also begin clearing mines that Iran is believed to have deployed in the Strait—a crucial chokepoint through which about 20 percent of global energy supplies pass.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that military vessels approaching the Strait will be considered a breach of ceasefire and will be dealt with harshly and decisively, underscoring the risk of a dangerous escalation.