The United States will resume enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran from Tuesday, targeting all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate over the Strait of Hormuz.
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The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said the blockade will come into effect at 2000 GMT (4 pm ET) on July 14 and will apply to all vessel traffic "regardless of flag", covering Iran's ports, oil terminals and coastal areas.
"Any vessel suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. Non-compliant vessels may be legally compelled with force," the advisory said.
However, the JMIC clarified that neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations would not be affected.
Centcom confirms resumption of blockade
US Central Command (Centcom) later confirmed that, at President Donald Trump's direction, American forces would resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
"Centcom forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The US military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade," it said in a statement.
