The US military has declared it will block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports effective 10am ET (14:00 GMT) today, a dramatic escalation in tensions across the Persian Gulf.
In an immediate response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil supply, would be considered in violation of the existing ceasefire and “will be dealt with severely.”
The standoff comes as diplomatic efforts appear to have collapsed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with the United States held in Pakistan failed due to Washington’s “maximalism, shifting goalposts and blockade,” without providing further details on the venue or scope of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, regional violence has expanded beyond the Gulf. Israel’s military bombarded south Lebanon on Sunday, killing at least four people in the town of Maaroub, according to Lebanese medics. Israeli forces also seized all entrances to the town of Bint Jbeil as heavy clashes continued with Hezbollah militants.
The White House has not yet commented on the naval blockade order, which, if enforced, would effectively seal off Iran’s key oil export routes and risk a direct military confrontation in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways. The IRGC has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to hostile actions.
