US Forces to Blockade Iranian Ports Starting April 13
The US Central Command announced a blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, effective from 10 am ET (7.30 PM IST) on 13 April. The blockade will apply to vessels of all nations and includes Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. However, US forces will not obstruct navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports. This announcement follows President Donald Trump's claims of Iranian threats to maritime safety and the failure of recent US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, which lasted over 20 hours. Trump stated that Iran had not upheld commitments regarding its nuclear ambitions, while Iranian officials warned of severe consequences for military vessels approaching the Strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for approximately 20% of global energy supplies.
Published 2 days ago • 13 Apr 2026, 04:35 AM IST