In a fresh statement on Monday, US President Donald Trump said the US will blockade ships entering or exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10:00 AM ET.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the blockade would apply to all Iranian ports, starting Monday at 10 AM EDT (5:30 PM in Iran and 7:30 PM in India), contradicting Trump’s earlier warning of a complete shutdown.
However, CENTCOM mentioned that ships travelling between non-Iranian ports would still be allowed to pass through the strait, saying the measure would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.”
Iran responded with a warning, saying the strait remains under Iran’s “full control” and is open to non-military vessels, but added that military ships would face a “forceful response.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key global energy corridor, handling around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
