The United States military has said it will begin a sweeping blockade of Iranian ports starting Monday, escalating pressure on Tehran after high-level negotiations in Islamabad ended without an agreement.
In a statement issued Sunday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade would target all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports from 10am Eastern Time (14:00 GMT) on April 13. The restrictions will apply to vessels of all nations operating in Iranian coastal areas, including the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM clarified that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports would not be obstructed, signaling a narrower scope than earlier warnings.
The announcement appears to contrast with earlier remarks by Donald Trump, who had suggested a broader blockade that could extend to all vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions about consistency in US messaging. Analysts noted the apparent discrepancy, highlighting uncertainty around how the blockade will be enforced.
Markets reacted swiftly to the development, with US crude prices jumping 8 percent to over $104 per barrel, while Brent crude rose by about 7 percent, reflecting fears of supply disruptions in a region critical to global energy flows.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has already seen a dramatic slowdown in traffic since the outbreak of conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran earlier this year. Iran has maintained movement of its own vessels while allowing limited passage to others and has reportedly considered introducing tolls for transit once hostilities subside.
Iran responded sharply to the blockade announcement. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any approaching military vessels would violate the existing ceasefire—set to last until April 22—and would face a “severe” response.
Tehran has also blamed Washington for the failure of the Islamabad talks. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said US negotiators altered their demands at a critical stage, derailing an agreement that was close to completion.
Academic voices in Iran echoed defiance, with analysts arguing that the United States lacks the ability to fully control maritime dynamics in the region and warning that any prolonged confrontation could test not only Iran’s resilience but also the stability of global markets.
The blockade announcement has heightened concerns that the collapse of diplomacy could trigger a new phase of escalation in an already volatile region. (Al Jazeera)
