US Central Command has announced that it will begin a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13 (Monday) at 10 a.m. ET. CENTCOM said the blockade would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas.
In a post on X, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces “will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET,” in line with the president’s proclamation. The US military said the blockade would be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations” using Iranian ports and coastal areas, including facilities along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM added that it “will not impede freedom of navigation” for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. Commercial mariners were advised to monitor official Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 while operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz approaches.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, President Donald Trump said the US would “shortly” begin blocking ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that vessels paying what he described as “illegal tolls” were the main focus. Hours later, the US military said it would begin enforcing the blockade from Monday at 7:30 p.m. IST.
The move appears to target the reported use of the Chinese yuan by some vessels transiting the strategic Gulf chokepoint, a development viewed as a challenge to the long-standing petrodollar system and as a way to bypass US sanctions.
By signalling the measure, Washington has once again sharpened its stance toward both China and Iran, underscoring rising tensions with two countries that have increasingly demonstrated an ability to push back against American economic pressure.
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