U.S. naval blockade declared
The U.S. has imposed a military blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump warned ships tied to Iran they would be “eliminated.” (npr.org) The move initially pushed U.S. crude to $104.24 and Brent to $102.29 a barrel, signaling an immediate shock to energy markets. (cbsnews.com) Despite the blockade, Reuters reports U.S. and Iranian negotiators may return to Islamabad this week, indicating diplomacy may continue alongside coercive measures. (reuters.com)
The United States military has started blocking traffic to and from Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, opening a new phase in the Iran war. (cbsnews.com) CBS News reported the blockade began at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, April 13, and applied to Iranian ports and part of the strait, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping lanes. (cbsnews.com) President Donald Trump said Sunday that the Navy would “seek and interdict” vessels in international waters that had paid tolls to Iran, and he warned Monday that Iranian ships approaching the blockade would be “immediately ELIMINATED.” (npr.org) Iran called the move illegal and threatened retaliation across Gulf ports, while United States Central Command said the blockade would be enforced against vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports. (cbsnews.com; usatoday.com) The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil, so any military restriction there can move fuel prices within minutes. (cnbc.com) After the blockade announcement, United States crude rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude rose 7% to $102.29, according to market reporting cited by U.S. News. By Tuesday, Reuters reported both benchmarks had slipped back below $100 on hopes that talks might resume. (usnews.com; usnews.com) The blockade followed failed weekend negotiations in Islamabad, where Vice President JD Vance led the United States delegation and said Iran had refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Pakistan is now pressing both sides to return for another round before the current ceasefire expires next week. (cbsnews.com; apnews.com) Reuters reported Tuesday that negotiating teams from Washington and Tehran could return to Islamabad this week, even as the blockade remains in place. A United States official told Reuters there was still “forward motion” toward an agreement. (usnews.com) Reuters also reported the blockade could keep roughly 2 million barrels a day of Iranian oil off the market, though some commercial traffic was still moving through the strait on Tuesday. The New York Times reported that two Iran-linked ships cleared the waterway just before the blockade took effect. (al-monitor.com; nytimes.com) What happens next depends on whether the blockade becomes a prolonged shipping campaign or a bargaining tool before the ceasefire deadline on April 22. For now, Washington is using warships and negotiations at the same time. (nbcnewyork.com; usnews.com)
