The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports has entered its third day. Following the collapse of the Islamabad peace talks, the blockade officially commenced on Monday, April 13.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is enforcing the blockade using over 10,000 personnel and more than a dozen warships, supported by dozens of aircraft.
The blockade is specifically targeting vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM has clarified that it is not currently impeding freedom of navigation for ships transiting to non-Iranian ports (such as those in Kuwait, Iraq, or the UAE).
Enforcement is primarily focused in the Gulf of Oman, just east of the Strait of Hormuz, to minimize the vulnerability of U.S. ships to Iranian coastal defenses.
Global oil prices have surged back above $100 a barrel following the breakdown of diplomacy and the start of the blockade.
CENTCOM reported that within the first 24 hours, several merchant vessels complied with orders to turn back. However, there are conflicting reports of some “shadow fleet” or sanctioned vessels attempting to evade the monitoring.
The situation remains extremely volatile. President Trump has warned that any Iranian fast-attack craft approaching U.S. vessels will be “immediately eliminated,” while Tehran has asserted its own right to control the Strait.
