The US Navy has begun its blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas, including the Strait of Hormuz. The US military blocked vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports from this evening, though it insisted ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to other destinations will not be impeded. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be treated as a ceasefire violation. The Unified Command of the Iranian Armed Forces issued a stark warning in response to the US naval blockade, declaring that the security of ports across the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is under direct threat.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly ruled out British involvement in any US-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that London will not be dragged into a conflict with Iran. Mr. Starmer emphaiszed the UK’s commitment to keeping vital shipping lanes accessible without escalating military tensions. His remarks came as Iran threatened ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it would begin blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports this evening. The blockade will be applied impartially to vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Mr. Starmer said that Britain has been consistently in consultation with allies on measures to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as tensions between Iran and the US ease. He expressed grave concern over the impact of restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on global energy markets.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the call for open navigation, emphasizing that Canberra has received no request from Washington to participate in the blockade of the strategic waterway. Mr. Albanese stressed the importance of renewed negotiations to resolve regional conflicts and called for full respect for international maritime law.
The European Union has warned of economic and security threats amid Strait of Hormuz tensions. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the ongoing closure of the Strait is causing serious damage and that restoring freedom of navigation is crucial for Europe. She noted that negotiations between Iran and the US have stalled and said it is now essential to determine how the situation will progress.
