US naval blockade of Iran takes effect as Trump’s deadline passes

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

A vendor pushes his cart past a giant billboard reading "The Strait of Hormuz remains closed" at the Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, on April 12, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
A vendor pushes his cart past a giant billboard reading "The Strait of Hormuz remains closed" at the Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, on April 12, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

The American military naval blockade of Iran has taken effect after the deadline set by US President Donald Trump passed.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announces that it has been informed that “maritime access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Yesterday, the US Central Command said its forces “will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.”

“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said.

CENTCOM added that its forces “will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.