US Central Command has confirmed that American forces will begin detaining vessels calling at Iranian ports starting at 10 AM Eastern Time on Monday, following an announcement by President Donald Trump on Sunday to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, according to Ship & Bunker.
CENTCOM shared further details of the operation via a social media post, stating the measure will apply across all Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. As reported by Ship & Bunker, no information has yet been released regarding what will happen to detained vessels or their cargo once intercepted.
Scope of the Blockade
The enforcement action will cast a wide net across the international shipping community. In its statement, CENTCOM said the blockade “will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas.”
However, CENTCOM was clear that legitimate maritime traffic will not be disrupted beyond Iranian-linked port calls. The command stated: “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
Ship & Bunker also notes that a formal notice to commercial mariners was expected to be issued ahead of the blockade’s start time.
Background: Hormuz Tensions Since March
The move escalates a maritime crisis that has been developing since early March, when Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping by attacking multiple vessels in the area and issuing threats against others attempting passage, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
More recently, Iran has permitted a limited number of vessels through the strait via an Iranian-controlled route — reportedly in exchange for toll payments made directly to Iran. President Trump has since threatened to interdict any vessel found to have paid such a toll, according to Ship & Bunker.
What Operators Need to Know
With the blockade now confirmed and an implementation timeline in place, the critical points for vessel operators are:
- Detention risk applies to all nationalities calling at or departing Iranian ports
- Non-Iranian port transits through the Strait of Hormuz are stated to remain unaffected
- Toll payments to Iran have separately been flagged by President Trump as grounds for interdiction
- Fate of detained vessels and cargo remains officially unclear at time of writing
Operators are advised to monitor official CENTCOM communications and relevant maritime notices closely as the situation develops.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
