US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say
By Phil Stewart
Apr 13, 2026, 08:42 AM
A U.S. naval blockade of Iran is a major, open-ended military endeavor that could trigger fresh retaliation from Tehran and put tremendous strain on an already fragile ceasefire, experts say.
President Donald Trump, in a social media post after no deal emerged from peace talks this weekend in Islamabad, said the U.S. Navy “will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”
The U.S. military’s Central Command later said the blockade will only apply to ships going to or from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. It will take effect on Monday at 10 a.m. in Washington, CENTCOM said.
Trump also said U.S. forces would interdict vessels that have paid tolls to Iran, even if those ships are now in international waters.
https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/04/13/us-blockade-of-iran-will-be-major-military-endeavor-experts-say/