CENTCOM: US Halts Iran's Maritime Trade Within 36 Hours

Washington (ANTARA) - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) states that US forces have fully halted maritime trade from and to Iran within less than 36 hours since the blockade was imposed. The statement was delivered by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper on Tuesday (14/4) after the US initiated the blockade on Monday against all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. CENTCOM, which is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, said the blockade is enforced against all ships from any country transiting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. However, Cooper stated that US forces “will not impede freedom of navigation for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.” The US implemented the blockade after direct US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan last weekend failed to reach an agreement to end the war that broke out on 28 February. Earlier on Tuesday, CENTCOM stated that no ships had successfully passed the blockade in the first 24 hours, while six merchant vessels complied with orders to turn back and return to Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman. Citing US officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Navy has intercepted eight oil tankers heading to or from Iranian ports since the blockade began.