US threatens to blockade all Iranian ports starting on Monday
The United States military has warned it will impose a sweeping naval blockade on Iran starting Monday, escalating pressure on Tehran after recent peace negotiations ended without agreement.
In a statement, US Central Command said the measure would target all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, including vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The move follows the breakdown of high-level talks in Islamabad, which had aimed to de-escalate weeks of conflict between the two sides. Analysts say the proposed blockade represents one of the most aggressive steps taken so far and could significantly disrupt global trade and energy supplies.
At the centre of the standoff is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass. Since the conflict began in late February, maritime traffic through the strait has sharply declined, raising concerns in global energy markets and driving price volatility.
Iran has maintained partial control over the waterway, allowing limited passage of foreign vessels while continuing its own operations. Officials in Tehran have even floated the idea of introducing transit fees once the conflict subsides, further complicating the situation.
In response to the US announcement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any foreign military presence near Iranian waters could violate the existing ceasefire and would be met with force. The group described the blockade as a provocative step that risks undermining already fragile diplomatic efforts.
Security analysts caution that enforcing such a blockade could lead to direct confrontation at sea, potentially drawing in regional and global powers. With negotiations stalled and military posturing intensifying, fears are growing that the situation could spiral into a broader conflict with far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences.
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