WASHINGTON – The Pentagon announced Friday that American naval forces will launch a comprehensive maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports starting Monday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, following directives from President Donald Trump to restrict access through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command officials stated the naval operation will target all vessel traffic moving in and out of Iranian territorial waters without regard to the ships’ country of origin. “The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” military commanders announced through an official statement released on social media platforms.
Pentagon officials indicated they plan to distribute detailed operational guidelines to international shipping companies and commercial vessel operators through official maritime channels prior to the blockade’s implementation on Monday.
