US Central Command has posted a ‘clarification’ on the earlier announcement by Trump that the US Naval Forces will start a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz from April 13.
The CENTCOM post states that the blockade applies only to ships entering and leaving Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf, while ships of any other nation transiting the Gulf but not touching Iranian ports or Iranian coastal areas will not be affected by the blockade.
“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.
The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports”, the CENTCOM post reads.
It further added that additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to the start of the blockade. “All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.”
Trump’s announcement of bloackade
On April 12, Trump announced an immediate ‘blockade of the Strait of Hormuz’ starting April 13. “The US Navy would begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels that had paid an “illegal toll” to Iran in international waters would be interdicted. American forces would also destroy Iranian mines in the strait, and any Iranian personnel firing on US or peaceful vessels will be BLOWN TO HELL!”, he had shared on Truth Social.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 12, 2026
Marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been greatly disrupted since the US-Israel started the war against Iran. In addition to the ongoing war, there are additional reports of Iranian forces mining the Strait. Insurers have been increasing insurance premiums, and there are reports of Iran exacting a “toll”, either in crypto or Yuan payments, for allowing ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait, responsible of 20% of global energy shipping, is a crucial waterway that needs to operate at full capacity for most Asian nations, including India, China, Japan and others to get their supplies of oil, gas and other petrochemical products, including fertilisers.
Ghalibaf dares Trump, says fuel prices will soon skyrocket
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament who participated in the Islamabad talks, has posted a mocking tweet, telling Trump that fuel prices are going to skyrocket and that Trump will feel the pressure. Sharing a Google Maps screenshot showing gas stations around White House, Ghalibaf posted a mathematical expression, insinuating how the ‘Blockade of Strait of Hormuz’ will affect the gas prices in the USA with a compounding function, rapidly escalating so that people will be nostalgic for $5 per gallon.
