According to the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), the blockade came into effect on Monday, targeting all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The measure is being applied “neutrally against ships of all nations,” CENTCOM stated, adding that enforcement began at 5:50 p.m. local time in Iran.
Iran has condemned the move as an act of “piracy” and warned of retaliatory measures. Officials in Tehran said that if Iranian ports are threatened, no port in the Gulf region or the Gulf of Oman would remain safe.
Data from LSEG indicated that even before the blockade took effect, two Iran-linked tankers carrying petroleum products had already exited the strategic strait.
The growing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for global energy supply—has sent oil prices surging. On Monday, prices jumped nearly 7%, surpassing $100 per barrel. Analysts warn the crisis could trigger unprecedented disruptions to global energy flows.
Since the conflict began, Iran has effectively exerted control over the strait, restricting the movement of foreign vessels. Former US President Donald Trump has also declared that ships providing financial support to Iran would be barred from passage.
Meanwhile, NATO allies the United Kingdom and France have distanced themselves from the US action, stating they will not participate in the blockade. Instead, they are urging for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Reuters reports that the situation threatens a ceasefire that had been in place following six weeks of US and Israeli airstrikes. Rising tensions have been further fueled by the failure of recent high-level talks in Islamabad.
Iran has said it would consider reopening the strait if its control is formally recognized, sanctions are lifted, and US forces are withdrawn from bases across the Middle East. The United States, on the other hand, is demanding that Iran abandon its uranium stockpile and halt future enrichment activities.
The situation remains highly volatile, with global markets and geopolitical stability hanging in the balance.
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