HAMILTON, Canada — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it will enforce a sweeping maritime blockade on all vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports beginning April 13 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT).
In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said the move follows a directive from the US president and will apply to all shipping activity in Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The command emphasized that enforcement would be carried out without bias, covering vessels of all nationalities operating in and out of Iranian coastal areas.
However, CENTCOM clarified that international navigation will remain unaffected for ships merely passing through the Strait of Hormuz, provided they are bound for non-Iranian ports.
Authorities said commercial vessels would be alerted in advance, advising ships in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz to monitor maritime advisories and coordinate with US naval forces when necessary.
US President Donald Trump said other countries are cooperating with Washington to restrict Iran’s ability to export oil, describing the blockade as a key step in tightening economic pressure.
He also claimed that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz was improving and that the ceasefire with Iran remains in place.
Trump further asserted that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened, saying its naval forces and weapons production capacity had been largely neutralized.
Despite ongoing tensions, recent talks between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough after nearly a full day of negotiations.
The conflict has already resulted in thousands of casualties following weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with Tehran launching retaliatory attacks across parts of the Middle East before a temporary ceasefire was reached.
ia/xf
