U.S. Navy Enforces Full Blockade of Iran’s Seaports

Late Tuesday the U.S. announced a full naval blockade of Iranian seaports, halting seaborne trade and blocking passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Forces were deployed across the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea to enforce the operation.

U.S. Central Commander Brad Cooper declared, ‘A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East.’ Military officials reported more than 10,000 troops, over a dozen Navy ships and multiple fighter jets assigned to the operation.

Cooper reported that in the first 24 hours of enforcement no vessel crossed the designated blockade line and that six merchant ships were ordered to turn back and re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. U.S. statements added that vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz were being stopped or rerouted.

Maritime monitoring firms reported that at least two vessels completed passage through the strait on the first full day of enforcement. One was the Rich Starry, a Chinese-owned tanker subject to U.S. sanctions, which left the Gulf. U.S. officials warned that sanctioned vessels would face enforcement action.

About 98% of Iran’s oil exports go to China. The concentration of exports to a single buyer has drawn attention ahead of a planned U.S. presidential visit to China in mid-May. President Trump wrote that he had asked Xi Jinping not to supply weapons to Iran and that Xi replied, ‘essentially, he’s not doing that.’

A March public opinion survey found roughly 27% of Americans express a favorable view of China, an increase from the prior year. The survey also showed fewer people describe China as an enemy and more describe it as a competitor.

Indian buyers moved quickly to secure cargoes before a U.S. grace period expired. About 4 million barrels of Iranian oil reached India this week, the first such imports in several years. Ship-tracking data indicated the very large crude carrier Jaya was unloading at Paradip on India’s east coast while the tanker Felicity was discharging at Sikka on the west coast. Port notices showed both vessels were expected to depart India by Friday.

U.S. officials said the blockade targets the sea routes that sustain much of Iran’s trade and revenue, aiming to limit Tehran’s ability to finance regional activities. The Strait of Hormuz is a major chokepoint for world oil flows; control of passage there affects global energy shipments.

Background includes years of sanctions and maritime interdiction efforts against Iranian oil shipments and recent allegations by U.S. officials that Iran used a Chinese satellite to target U.S. military bases in the region. Military and diplomatic leaders described the operation as an enforcement measure aligned with outreach to other buyers of Iranian oil and with efforts to reassure partners in the Gulf about security.