The U.S. Central Command has announced it will begin enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, marking a significant escalation in maritime security measures in the region.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the blockade will apply to all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. The enforcement will be carried out “impartially against vessels of all nations,” covering key facilities along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The move comes in accordance with a presidential proclamation, though further details on the directive were not immediately disclosed.
CENTCOM emphasized that the operation will not interfere with freedom of navigation for vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, provided they are traveling to or from non-Iranian ports. The strategic waterway remains a critical corridor for global energy shipments.
Commercial mariners operating in the region have been advised to closely monitor official Notice to Mariners broadcasts and maintain communication with U.S. naval forces via bridge-to-bridge channel 16, particularly while navigating the Gulf of Oman and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.
The development is expected to have wide-ranging implications for regional trade, shipping operations, and global energy markets.