US Central Command: Strait of Hormuz Open for Non-Iranian Port Transit

The United States will begin a naval blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. The decision follows the collapse of direct peace negotiations between U.S. And Iranian officials held over the weekend in Pakistan.

President Donald Trump announced the action via Truth Social, stating that the U.S. Navy would enforce the blockade immediately after the two parties failed to reach an agreement to end the war. While Trump indicated that most issues in the negotiations had been resolved, he specified that the nuclear issue remained an unresolved point of contention.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified that the blockade applies to vessels of all nations attempting to access Iranian ports and coastal areas within the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. However, the military command stated that the operation will not impede the transit of ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

Strategic Context and the Strait of Hormuz

The move is intended to eliminate Iran’s economic leverage by seeking greater control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply, as well as significant amounts of fertilizer and other goods.

Prior to this announcement, Iran had effectively closed the narrow strait to all but pre-approved ships following the start of the U.S. And Israeli war against Iran on February 28, 2026. This closure had previously disrupted both military and commercial traffic and contributed to a surge in global fuel prices.

In an effort to restore commerce, CENTCOM recently reported that two destroyers, the USS Michael Murphy and the USS Frank E Peterson, transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf. According to U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, these ships were part of a mission to ensure the waterway was clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage, and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce

Admiral Brad Cooper

Diplomatic Breakdown and Iranian Response

The first direct U.S.-Iran negotiations in over a decade ended without a breakthrough in Islamabad. U.S. Vice-President JD Vance stated that Washington’s red lines include the requirement for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Conversely, Iranian officials have pushed for sanctions relief, war reparations, control over the strait, and a broader regional ceasefire that includes Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi attributed the failure of the talks to U.S. maximalism and shifting goalposts, stating on X that Enmity begets enmity.

The IRGC has warned that any military ships approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be viewed as a violation of the existing two-week ceasefire and will be dealt with harshly and decisively. Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser and former Revolutionary Guard Commander, also vowed to counter the U.S. Blockade.

Current Maritime Status

The escalation occurs while a tenuous two-week ceasefire is in place, though Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue. Hundreds of oil tankers remain stalled in the Gulf, waiting to move as the regional conflict persists.

CENTCOM has indicated that additional guidance will be provided to commercial mariners before the blockade takes effect on April 13.