US Military Enforces Blockade on Iran’s Ports as Tehran Vows Retaliation
The US military initiated a blockade of vessels departing from Iranian ports on Monday, as confirmed by President Donald Trump. This development follows the collapse of weekend negotiations in Islamabad aimed at resolving ongoing hostilities between the two nations. Iran has since threatened to retaliate against this military action.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts Amid Tensions
Despite the blockade, a US official indicated that diplomatic engagement with Iran continues, with hopes of reaching an agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also noted that efforts to mediate the conflict are still in progress. However, the situation remains volatile, as oil prices surged above $100 per barrel, reflecting concerns over the potential disruption of supplies and the fragile nature of a two-week ceasefire established last week.
Trump stated that Iran had expressed a desire to negotiate but emphasized that he would not support any deal that would allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he asserted during a press briefing at the White House, adding, “We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world.”
Strategic Implications of the Blockade
Since the onset of hostilities on February 28, Iran has effectively restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz for all vessels except its own, asserting that passage would only be permitted under Iranian oversight and subject to a fee. Trump has reiterated that the US will block Iranian vessels and any ships that comply with these tolls, stating that any Iranian “fast-attack” ships approaching the blockade would be neutralized.
Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Defence, cautioned that foreign military interventions in the strait could exacerbate the crisis and threaten global energy security. NATO allies, including Britain and France, have distanced themselves from participating in the blockade, emphasizing the necessity of reopening the waterway, which typically facilitates about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Ceasefire at Risk
The ceasefire that halted six weeks of US and Israeli airstrikes is now under significant strain, with only a week remaining before its expiration. Washington reported that Tehran rejected its demands during the recent talks in Islamabad, marking the highest-level discussions between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The US military’s Central Command announced that the blockade would be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. They clarified that the blockade would not obstruct neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian destinations, according to a note to seafarers reviewed by Reuters.
Two Iranian-linked tankers, the Aurora and New Future, successfully departed the strait laden with oil products on Monday, just before the blockade’s implementation, as per LSEG data.
Iran’s Response and Regional Developments
An Iranian military spokesperson condemned US restrictions on international shipping as “piracy,” warning that any threats to Iranian ports would compromise the security of all ports in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that any military vessels approaching the strait would be seen as a violation of the ceasefire.
In a related context, the war has faced increasing unpopularity domestically, compounded by rising energy prices. Trump had previously paused the US-Israeli bombing campaign after issuing a stark warning to Iran, threatening to dismantle its “whole civilization” unless it reopened the strait.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its military operations in Lebanon, launching an attack on Monday aimed at capturing a strategically important town from Iran-backed Hezbollah. Both Israel and the US have maintained that their actions against Hezbollah do not fall under the ceasefire agreement, a position Iran disputes.
The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed deep concern on Monday regarding attacks on medical personnel in Lebanon, following a deadly strike on a Red Cross facility in the region.
Iran’s New Demands and Market Reactions
Iran has introduced additional demands, including recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, and the withdrawal of US military forces from bases across the Middle East. Despite failing to meet the objectives outlined at the onset of the conflict—namely, to eliminate Iran’s capacity to threaten its neighbors, terminate its nuclear program, and facilitate regime change—Trump has proclaimed victory.
Benchmark oil prices, which had declined following the announcement of the ceasefire, surged approximately 6 percent higher on Monday, remaining above the $100 per barrel mark. Traders have indicated that the primary benchmarks used to determine prices for global commodities may not fully capture the unprecedented nature of the current supply disruption.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-04-13 01:49:00 • By the Editorial Desk
