US Central Command has officially announced that the blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports will be implemented starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 13, 2026. This step is being taken in compliance with the presidential order of US President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM clarified in a statement released on its official X account that the blockade will apply equally to ships of all nations. This includes all commercial and shipping traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. These ports are located in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
However, CENTCOM has also clarified that there will be no restrictions on the free navigation of ships to non-Iranian ports passing through the Strait of Hormuz. That means normal traffic will continue on international waterways.
Advice to commercial vessels and seafarers
The Command has advised owners of commercial vessels and seafarers to study the Official Notice to Mariners regularly. Additionally, maintain contact with U.S. Naval forces on bridge-to-bridge Channel 16 during operations near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
Additional operational details will be communicated to commercial seafarers separately before the blockade begins. This announcement is being considered a major step in regional tension. According to the CENTCOM statement, the purpose of the blockade is to control maritime traffic connected to Iranian ports, but also to ensure the maintenance of global freedom of navigation.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil export route. Millions of barrels of crude oil pass through here every day. Iran had earlier said that if necessary it could close this route. The recent peace talks held in Pakistan also failed, after which the tension between the two countries has increased further. Iran has also talked about allowing some selected ships to pass by paying 2 million dollars, but the Trump administration has rejected it outright.