The United States (US) military has announced that it will impose a blockade on all Iranian Gulf ports starting Monday at 1400 GMT, a move that sharply escalates tensions with Iran and raises fears of wider regional conflict.
Read More: Strait of Hormuz: key oil route in middle of US–Iran crisis
According to a statement from US Central Command, the blockade will target all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, including those in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The directive said the measure would be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations,” while ensuring that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for non-Iranian ports would not be obstructed.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 12, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making any disruption in the area a major concern for international energy markets and global trade stability.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that its forces maintain full control over the strategic waterway. Officials cautioned that any hostile action could trap adversaries in what they described as a “deadly vortex,” signaling readiness for confrontation.
Iranian naval commander Shahram Irani dismissed the US announcement as “ridiculous and funny,” stating that Iranian forces are closely monitoring all US military activity in the region. Separately, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the country would not bow to threats, warning that Tehran would respond firmly if pressured into conflict.
Amid the escalating rhetoric, global oil markets reacted strongly. The price of West Texas Intermediate crude surged above $104 per barrel, while Brent crude oil climbed past $102, reflecting fears of potential supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Read More: Trump: US no longer needs allies for Hormuz
Analysts say the situation underscores the fragile balance in the region, where military escalation could quickly translate into global economic shockwaves, particularly in energy-dependent markets.