Arabic version: الجيش الأمريكي سيبدأ حصار الموانئ الإيرانية يوم الاثنين

The United States military has announced it will begin blockading all Iranian ports on Monday, its latest move to exert pressure on Tehran after marathon peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a deal. According to Al Jazeera, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the blockade will apply to all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, starting at 10 AM Eastern Time on April 13.

This blockade will include vessels from all nations, affecting both the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM clarified that it would not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports, a shift from earlier threats made by President Donald Trump.

The announcement has already had an immediate effect on oil prices, with US crude oil prices jumping 8 percent to $104.24 a barrel, while Brent crude saw a 7 percent increase to $102.29. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global energy shipments, has seen significant changes in traffic patterns since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28.

Iran has continued to move its own vessels through the strait, while allowing limited passage of ships from other countries. In response to the blockade threat, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any approaching military vessels would be in breach of a US-Iran ceasefire meant to be in effect until April 22.

The blockade appears to be triggered by the failure of the talks in Islamabad, with Iranian officials blaming the US side for failing to reach a deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized US negotiators for shifting the “goalposts” and obstructing efforts when a memorandum of understanding was “just inches away.” Analysts suggest that the situation could escalate into a prolonged conflict, with Iranian officials expressing readiness for such a scenario.