Washington announces the start date and details of the blockade on Iranian ports

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday that it will begin implementing a ban on maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports.

Centcom said in a statement that implementation of the ban will begin on Monday, April 13, at 10 a.m. East Coast time, in accordance with the announcement issued by US President Donald Trump.

The statement added: “This ban will be applied impartially to ships of all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports, and US Central Command forces will not obstruct freedom of navigation for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz on their way to and from non-Iranian ports.”

The statement continued: “The crews of commercial ships will be provided with additional information through official notification before the ban takes effect.”

The statement concluded by saying: “All navigators are advised to follow the notices to navigators, and to communicate with the US Navy forces via the direct communication channel with (Command Towers) No. 16, when working in the Gulf of Oman region and the approaches leading to the Strait of Hormuz.”