Trump Orders U.S. Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports, Threatens to Eliminate Iranian Ships

President Trump ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.

U.S. Central Command said the blockade would be enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports.

Al Jazeera

Trump warned that any Iranian fast attack ships approaching the blockade would be immediately eliminated.

The blockade began at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday.

The move was intended to force Iran to open the strait and accept a peace deal.

Iran responded with threats that no port in the Gulf would be safe.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the strait remained under Iran's full control.

Al Jazeera

The blockade halted the limited ship traffic that had resumed since the ceasefire.

Brent crude oil prices rose 7% to around $102 per barrel.

The blockade drew skepticism from experts who questioned its sustainability.

The blockade was to be enforced in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

Enforcement would rely on the right of visit and search.

The U.S. military had the forces in place already in the region.

The blockade aimed to sever Iran's main source of revenue.

Iran accounts for about 4% of the world's oil production.

The blockade threatened to further rattle global energy markets.

Oil prices jumped and the average U.S. gas price rose above $4.12 per gallon.

BBC

Iran's oil exports totaled around $45 billion last year.

The blockade risked escalating the conflict beyond Iran.

The blockade was seen as a way to maximize economic pressure on Iran.