Central command of the United States of America (CENTCOM), in charge of all American forces in the Middle East, has begun a blockade of maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, reports Reuters.
The statement stated that the blockade will cover "all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal zones", including ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and will be implemented "impartially towards vessels of all countries".
The US military points out that this measure will not interfere with ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz unless they are in transit to Iranian ports.
The blockade comes at a time of sharp escalation of the conflict
According to American and international media, the decision to block was made after the failure of several hours of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, which represented the highest level of direct talks between the two countries since 1979, writes Reuters.
CNN reports that the blockade comes as conflict in the region is re-escalating after weeks of fighting that has already disrupted global energy flows, while the Strait of Hormuz has become a key point of geopolitical competition between Washington and Tehran.
Photo: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri, FileUS blocks Iranian ports
At the same time, analysts warn that this American measure could further destabilize the oil market and cause even wider consequences for the global economy, given the importance of the region for the world's energy supply. Business Insider.
The Iranian authorities, on the other hand, have said that any approach by US warships will be seen as a violation of the ceasefire, while some world leaders have called for an immediate de-escalation to prevent a wider regional conflict, reports "The Guardian".
What is the situation on the ground before the beginning of the blockade?
According to American sources, dozens of ships - mostly Iranian - are anchored near the port of Bandar Abbas, while some tankers have already left the strait and are waiting for further developments in the situation. At the same time, Chinese and other international ships still pass through this route, albeit on a reduced scale.
Marine traffic monitoring companies state that at one point during the night all traffic through the strait was suspended, following the announcement of the blockade by Donald Trump, but the US military subsequently specified that the measure applies only to Iranian ports.
Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree NikhinsonDonald tramp
Trump: We will not allow the Iranians to blackmail the whole world
US President Donald Trump declared for Fox News that the United States "will not allow the Iranians to blackmail the entire world," and that the Iranian military is "destroyed" and that Tehran no longer has the capacity to seriously threaten international supply routes, including key oil and gas transport routes.
He threatened that the US will confiscate ships that pay a "racket" in Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and this is seen as a warning to China, which gets 50 percent of its oil from the Persian Gulf.
Trump pointed out that the goal of American moves is to prevent the destabilization of global energy flows and to ensure freedom of navigation, with the message that the US will continue the pressure until "the threat is removed."
Blocked more than 2.000 merchant ships
According to the German Shipowners' Association (VDR), more than 2.000 merchant ships with around 20.000 seamen have been blocked in the Persian Gulf since the war broke out in late February.
The United Nations describes the situation as unprecedented since the end of World War II.
In the weeks since the start of the war on February 28, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recorded at least 21 attacks on merchant ships, resulting in the deaths of ten sailors and injuries to others.
Before the war, according to UN data, around 150 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz per day, and now the daily average is only four or five, reports German state television.
Photo: AP Photo/Rafiq MaqboolThe US blockade of Iran raises tensions
Who is blocking what?
The current situation is that the Americans are blocking the Iranian blockade, that is. all ships that have anything to do with the Islamic Republic or are willing to pay it, because Tehran is blocking ships that have ties to the US, Israel and their allies or won't pay tolls to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
All in all, little can currently pass through the strait through which one-fifth of the oil and gas intended for the global market passes and 50 percent of the oil consumed by China, so energy prices have started to rise again sharply after a temporary drop when peace talks between the US and Iran were announced.
At any cost, the regime in Tehran wants to show that the "Satanic-Zionist" military force failed to defeat Iran, and Donald Trump that the "villains" have been defeated and forced to unconditional capitulation. Forces are being measured in the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which was one of the key obstacles to reaching a peace agreement.
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