All Eyes on Hormuz as U.S. Maritime Blockade on Iran Enters Enforcement Phase

The United States’ newly announced maritime blockade targeting Iranian trade is now entering its enforcement phase, with fresh guidance from United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirming that access restrictions are actively being applied across Iranian waters.

In an advisory issued Monday, UKMTO said it had been informed that, effective 1400 UTC on April 13, maritime access restrictions are now in force affecting “Iranian ports and coastal areas,” including waters spanning the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz.

The guidance underscores the breadth of the measure, stating that restrictions apply “without distinction to