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US Naval Blockade
The United States began enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports on April 13.
“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East”
CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper announced that a blockade has been fully implemented.
The blockade involves more than 10,000 U.S. troops and over a dozen Navy ships.
Within the first 24 hours, six merchant vessels complied with orders to return to Iranian ports.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center issued guidelines for transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump framed the blockade as preventing Tehran from charging up to $2 million per vessel for safe passage.
Economic Impact and Legal Questions
The blockade is estimated to cost Iran approximately $435 million a day in combined economic damage.
Iran's oil exports totaled around $45 billion in 2025, or 13% of GDP.
The blockade could sharply curtail Iran's ability to load and ship crude from its main export terminal.
Maritime law experts warned the blockade risked crossing into disputed territory under international law.
The IMF cut its global growth forecast to 3.1% for 2026, down from 3.3% in January.
Military Risks and Regional Reactions
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that no port in the Gulf will be safe if Iranian ports faced restrictions.
“Iran continued to launch missile and drone strikes against both Israel and nearby Arab countries hosting U.S. military bases”
The blockade was enforced east of the Strait of Hormuz, in the Gulf of Oman.
Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu said he supports Trump's decision to impose a naval blockade.
Iran retains an asymmetric naval system designed to overwhelm enemy forces.
The IAEA's Director General said very detailed measures to verify Iran's nuclear activities must be included in any agreement.
Diplomatic Developments
Trump signaled a diplomatic off-ramp despite the blockade.
Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif planned a diplomatic push to secure a new round of talks.
Negotiating teams from Washington and Tehran could return to Pakistan later in the week.
The blockade came after marathon talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.
The U.S. had proposed a 20-year suspension of all uranium enrichment.