CENTCOM announces blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports
US Central Command said it will begin enforcing a naval blockade on all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports on April 13. The move drew a sharp response from Iran, while US President Donald Trump said the measure would be effective in preventing Tehran from selling oil.
Tensions between the United States and Iran entered a new phase after US Central Command announced a blockade targeting maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports. The decision, which covers ports and coastal areas in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, prompted an immediate reaction from Tehran.
CENTCOM gives timing for blockade
In a statement, US Central Command said, “In accordance with the President’s directive, CENTCOM forces will begin enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and departing Iranian ports at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13.”
The statement said the blockade would be applied “in a neutral manner” to vessels of all countries entering or leaving all Iranian ports and coastal areas, including those in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM also said that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports, or vessels coming from those ports, would not be blocked.
Iran calls move illegal
Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the war command of the Iranian Armed Forces, condemned the US decision to interfere with Iranian-linked vessels in international waters.
Zolfaqari described the move as “an illegal act and a sign of piracy” and said, “The Iranian Armed Forces declare clearly and explicitly that the security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman must exist either for الجميع or for no one. If the security of Iran’s ports in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is threatened, no port in the region will remain secure.”
Trump says measure will be effective
US President Donald Trump also commented on the blockade targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Trump said, “Other countries are working to ensure that Iran does not sell oil, and this will be very effective.”
He also said there were “very good” developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz and for the United States, and claimed that the temporary ceasefire reached with Iran was still “holding strong.”
WSJ report raises fresh claims
A Wall Street Journal report, citing unnamed officials familiar with the matter, examined the fallout from the direct talks held between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, which ended without an agreement.
According to the report, Trump and his advisers considered resuming limited strikes on Iran in an effort to break the deadlock in the Pakistan talks.
Blockade also announced on social media
CENTCOM also said in a post on X that the naval blockade targeting Iranian ports would begin on Sunday.
The post repeated that, “In accordance with the President’s directive, CENTCOM forces will begin enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and departing Iranian ports at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13.”
It also reiterated that the measure would be applied “in a neutral manner” to ships of all countries, while vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian ports would not be stopped.
