U.S. declares complete halt to Iranian trade through Strait of Hormuz

(SeaPRwire) –   The American military has stated that the closure of the crucial shipping lane has been “fully implemented.”

American naval forces have effectively stopped Iranian trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented, with US forces maintaining maritime dominance in the Middle East,” stated CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper in a release Tuesday evening.

“In under 36 hours since the blockade began, US forces have completely ceased all economic trade entering and leaving Iran by sea,” Cooper added.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing two anonymous US officials, had previously reported that over 20 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, had transited the strait in the last 24 hours. According to AFP, at least two vessels subject to US sanctions passed through Hormuz on Monday: the Iranian-flagged container ship Kashan and the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis.

The WSJ also reported that the US has intercepted eight tankers since the blockade commenced on Monday morning.

US President Donald Trump announced the closure of the vital waterway on Sunday, following the failure of Pakistani-mediated negotiations to secure a peace agreement with Iran. Trump had previously been unsuccessful in gaining support from European NATO members to help secure Hormuz, which Iran had declared off-limits to “enemy ships” in retaliation for the US-Israeli bombing campaign initiated on February 28. Iran has since asserted its claim to “sovereignty” over the waterway and the right to levy tolls.

On April 8, the US and Iran reached an agreement for a two-week ceasefire, sparking cautious hope for an end to the conflict that has disrupted global commerce and caused energy prices to rise. However, both parties have since accused each other of proposing unacceptable terms.