US Central Command announces blockade of all Iranian ports
US Central Command (CENTCOM) will begin a maritime blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, targeting vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian coastal areas. The blockade covers the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman but will not impede Hormuz Strait transit to non-Iranian ports.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that it will impose a maritime blockade on all vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports, effective April 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET (1400GMT). The move, announced via the US social media platform X, follows a presidential proclamation and marks a significant escalation in pressure on Tehran.
Impartial enforcement across all nations
“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas,” CENTCOM stated. The restriction applies to all Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM clarified that it “will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
Notifications and commercial shipping
The military command said it will notify commercial ships ahead of the blockade, advising all vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to monitor maritime broadcasts and contact US naval forces if needed. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following inconclusive US-Iran talks in Islamabad and ongoing hostilities in the region.
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