US Begins Maritime Blockade of Iranian Ports, CENTCOM Announces
The US military on Monday began implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, marking a significant escalation in tensions surrounding navigation routes in the Gulf region.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East and beyond, confirmed on Sunday that the blockade would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The statement indicates a broad enforcement scope, without exceptions based on nationality or flag state.
However, CENTCOM clarified that its forces would not interfere with freedom of navigation for commercial and civilian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz en route to or from non-Iranian ports. The move underscores a selective enforcement framework aimed specifically at restricting maritime access linked directly to Iranian ports while maintaining open transit through one of the world’s most critical shipping chokepoints.
