Strait of Hormuz shipping halts after US blockade order
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a complete standstill following President Trump’s announcement of a US blockade on Iranian ports, according to London-based Lloyd’s List. Ships began reversing course as the US escalated mine-clearing operations, accusing Iran of failing to reopen the waterway.
Shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt immediately after US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, set to take effect Monday at 1400GMT. London-based maritime intelligence publication Lloyd’s List reported that traffic, already operating at reduced levels, suddenly stopped completely as vessels began reversing course in the strait.
US escalates mine-clearing, accuses Iran
The halt came as the United States ramped up mine-clearing operations and accused Tehran of failing to honor its commitment to reopen the international waterway. The blockade announcement followed rare direct talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad on Saturday, which failed to produce an agreement. Those negotiations were held under a Pakistani-mediated two-week ceasefire announced on Tuesday.
Strategic chokepoint paralyzed
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, is now effectively paralyzed. The development marks a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions following the US-Israeli offensive on Iran that began on Feb. 28. No timeline has been given for how long the blockade or the shipping halt will last.
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