The United States and Iran failed to reach any agreements in the talks held in Pakistan. US President Trump announced on Sunday (April 12) that the US would block the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command immediately stated that all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports will be blocked.
The Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement on Sunday evening, stating that in accordance with the President’s announcement, Central Command forces will begin the blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports starting at 10:00 am Eastern Time on April 13.
“This blockade will be applied impartially to all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Gulf of Arabia and the Gulf of Oman. Central Command forces will not interfere with the free passage of ships to and from non-Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement explained.
The Central Command also issued guidance to seafarers operating in the region, advising them to closely monitor official US navigation announcements broadcasts while traversing the waters near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, and to contact the US Navy through VHF Channel 16.
On the same day, Acting Attorney General of the United States, Todd Blanche, stated that the Department of Justice would prosecute anyone engaged in buying or selling Iranian oil under sanctions, expressing support for President Trump and the military actions in the Middle East.
Blanche wrote on the social media platform X: “The Department of Justice will rigorously prosecute anyone involved in buying or selling Iranian oil under sanctions.”
He added, “The Department of Justice fully supports our Commander-in-Chief and our military.”
Previously, the White House shared a statement made by President Trump on Sunday morning following the breakdown of the US-Iran ceasefire talks. Trump posted a message on the “Truth Social” platform saying, “Today, the world’s greatest US Navy will begin blocking any ships trying to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.”
China, as the largest trading partner of Iran, will inevitably be affected by any blockade on the movement of goods to and from Iranian ports. No country relies more on the Strait of Hormuz than China, with nearly half of its oil imports passing through this international waterway.
During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump stated that the US will not make any exceptions for the “friends” of the Iranian regime. During wartime, Iranian authorities had granted special passage rights to ships heading to China.
“We will implement a comprehensive blockade. We will not allow Iran to profit either by selling oil to those they like or those they dislike,” Trump said.
According to the Fars News Agency, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Navy issued a statement on Sunday, declaring that any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be deemed a violation of the ceasefire agreement.