Donald Trump once again issued threats against Iran at the onset of the US Navy’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, the US President claimed that the Iranian Navy had been largely destroyed, stating that 158 Iranian vessels were resting on the seabed. He added that only a small number of fast boats remained untouched because they were not considered a major threat by the US. However, Trump warned that any of these fast boats that approached the US blockade would be immediately “eliminated”. He explained that the same system used against alleged drug smugglers at sea would be applied and described it as “fast and brutal”.
Meanwhile, the US Navy activated its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz around 4 PM German time after the deadline set by Trump passed. According to the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the blockade restricts access to Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) had announced that the blockade would affect all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, encompassing all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, these measures are said not to interfere with the “freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports”.
UKMTO indicates that the restrictions apply to vessels of all flags connected to Iranian ports, oil tankers, or coastal facilities. Neutral ships currently located in Iranian ports were given a limited time to depart. Further guidelines for vessels concerning these restrictions are still being developed.
Tehran had initially blocked the strategically important waterway in response to a US-Israeli attack against Iran. Trump had since strongly demanded that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened. After direct talks between the US and Iran failed over the weekend, the US President announced the blockade of the strait himself.