US Begins Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports, Trump Threatens to Eliminate Attack Ships

The United States began a naval blockade of Iranian ports on April 13, 2026.

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

9News

CENTCOM announced the blockade would apply to all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports.

NATO allies refused to join the blockade, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the UK is not getting dragged into the war.

Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel as global markets reacted to the escalating conflict.

Iran denounced the blockade as an illegal act amounting to piracy.

Iran's acting defense minister said the armed forces were on maximum combat alert.

@globaltimesnews

The blockade triggered a near-standstill in commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

China criticized the plan, urging Iran and the US not to reignite the war.

The blockade also frayed the already fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.

The blockade sent oil prices soaring, with Brent crude climbing back above $100 a barrel.

The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.

The blockade threatened cultural heritage in Lebanon.

UNESCO warned that Lebanon's heritage was severely threatened.

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage announced a fund for Lebanon.

Coverage of the blockade varied across sources.

The Guardian highlighted Trump's social media post depicting himself as a Christ-like figure.

Al Jazeera

BBC focused on Keir Starmer's statement that the UK would not join the blockade.

Al Jazeera emphasized Iran's characterization of the blockade as corporate murder.

Energy News Beat provided detailed analysis of the blockade's impact on shipping traffic.

The blockade raised the stakes for all parties.

“Iran has suggested that the United States’ blockade on Iranian ports will only hurt the interntional economy after President Donald Trump ordered a naval siege against the country”

Al Jazeera

Experts questioned whether the blockade would force Iran to accept American terms.

Al Jazeera

The death toll from the war continued to climb.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned about the loss of medical workers.

The blockade set the stage for a prolonged conflict.