U.S. Military Initiates Blockade of Iranian Ports Amid Rising Tensions

Cairo: The U.S. military has announced a blockade of all Iranian ports, set to commence on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. local time in Iran). This decision modifies President Donald Trump’s earlier commitment to completely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as initial reports indicate a significant decline in maritime traffic through the waterway.

The blockade follows extensive U.S.-Iran ceasefire discussions in Pakistan that concluded without a resolution, heightening tensions between the two nations. Iranian officials have vowed to respond to the blockade.

Details of the Blockade

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels from all nations. However, it will permit ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the strait, representing a reduction from the president’s previous threat to entirely close the waterway.

The announcement has already disrupted the limited ship traffic that had resumed in the strait since the ceasefire began. According to Lloyd’s List intelligence, marine trackers report that over 40 commercial vessels have crossed the strait since the ceasefire, a stark decrease from the 100 to 135 daily crossings observed prior to the conflict.

Political Reactions

In a separate development, President Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media, labeling the Catholic leader as “terrible on foreign policy.” This remark followed the Pope’s condemnation of the war and his call for political leaders to pursue peace negotiations.

The blockade aims to exert additional pressure on Iran, which has reportedly exported millions of barrels of oil since the onset of the conflict. Much of this oil is believed to have been transported through clandestine routes that evade Western sanctions.

Trump has also expressed intentions to undermine Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply before the outbreak of hostilities. The blockade could further destabilize global energy markets.

Iranian Response

In response to the blockade, several high-ranking Iranian officials have threatened retaliation. Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor and former commander of the Revolutionary Guard, stated that Iran possesses “major untouched levers” to counter the blockade and would not be swayed by “tweets and imaginary plans.”

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Iranian parliament speaker who led Iran’s delegation in the talks, warned Trump, saying, “If you fight, we will fight.” The Revolutionary Guard later asserted that the strait remains under Iran’s “full control” and is open to non-military vessels, but warned that military vessels would face a “forceful response,” according to two semi-official Iranian news agencies.

During the 21-hour negotiations in Pakistan, the U.S. military reported that two destroyers had transited the strait ahead of mine-clearing operations, marking the first such movement since the conflict began. Iran has denied this claim.

These talks represented the highest-level discussions between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ceasefire Negotiations and Future Implications

Trump attributed the failure of the negotiations to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. In remarks to Fox News, he reiterated threats to target civilian infrastructure if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program, stating, “In one half of a day they wouldn’t have one bridge standing, they wouldn’t have one electric generating plant standing, and they’re back in the stone ages.”

Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, emphasized the need for “an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon.”

Iranian negotiators were unable to meet all U.S. “red lines,” according to an anonymous U.S. official. These red lines included preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, ceasing uranium enrichment, dismantling significant enrichment facilities, and allowing the retrieval of highly enriched uranium, as well as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting funding for groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi rebels.

Iranian officials claimed that the talks collapsed over two or three critical issues, attributing the breakdown to what they described as U.S. overreach. Qalibaf noted that it was time for the United States to determine whether it could earn Iran’s trust.

Iran’s foreign minister asserted that the U.S. undermined the negotiations when they were reportedly close to an agreement, although he did not provide supporting evidence. Abbas Araghchi remarked on social media that they faced “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.”

Neither Iran nor the U.S. has indicated what the next steps will be following the expiration of the ceasefire on April 22. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that his country will seek to facilitate new dialogue in the coming days.

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-04-13 08:38:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk