US Military Blockade on Iranian Ports Goes Into Effect

The U.S. Central Command said it would block ’vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports.’

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) sails in the Arabian Sea during Operation Epic Fury, on March 18, 2026. U.S. Navy

A scheduled U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters started at 10 a.m. ET on April 13 amid a tenuous ceasefire between the United States and Iran, coming after talks in Pakistan fell through, according to a maritime trade group.

The UK Maritime ​Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on April 13 that it has been informed ​that effective ​from 2 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time, or 10 a.m. ET, maritime ​access restrictions are ​being enforced, affecting Iranian ports and coastal ​areas, including ​locations along the Persian Gulf, ‌Gulf ⁠of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz.