U.S. Central Command announced that American forces will begin implementing a maritime blockade targeting traffic to and from Iranian ports starting this morning at 10 a.m. Eastern, following orders issued by President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM said the operation will cover all ships traveling into or out of Iranian ports and coastal regions, including areas along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Officials stressed that the enforcement of the blockade will be applied uniformly, without regard to a vessel’s nationality.
At the same time, CENTCOM made clear that U.S. naval forces will not restrict navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for vessels transiting to or from ports outside of Iran.
Further instructions are expected to be issued to commercial shipping operators through formal maritime advisories prior to the start of the operation.
Ships operating in the region have been urged to stay alert to official maritime communications and to remain in contact with U.S. naval forces via bridge-to-bridge Channel 16.
The announcement follows comments made earlier Sunday by Trump, who indicated that the Navy would begin blocking activity connected to Iran and targeting vessels that had paid fees to Tehran.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said Iran “will never be able to charge tolls” for passage through the key waterway.
He added that naval forces had been directed to stop any ship found in international waters that had paid such tolls.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump said.
Later Sunday night, Trump again confirmed that the blockade would take effect as scheduled.
“At 10 a.m. tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect,” he told the press gaggle. “Other nations are working, so that Iran will not be able to sell oil and that will be very effective.”
The move came shortly after negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded without a final deal.
Although Trump said the talks “went well” and that “most points were agreed,” he acknowledged that key disagreements remain, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program.