By Ginika Igboke
Iran’s military leadership warned on April 13 that no port in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman would remain secure if the United States proceeds with a naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping, raising the risk of a broader maritime confrontation across key regional waterways.
In a statement carried by state-linked media, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said maritime security in the region must apply equally to all, warning that any threat to Iranian ports would trigger reciprocal action.
“Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one,” said Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. “If Iran’s ports are threatened, no port in the region will be safe.”
U.S. Blockade Plans Prompt Strong Response
The warning followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. Navy would begin blockading maritime traffic linked to Iran after high-level nuclear and ceasefire talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.
Trump said on April 12 that U.S. forces would “seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” adding that ships would be prevented from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.
U.S. Central Command later clarified that the blockade—set to begin on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET—would apply specifically to vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports, not to general commercial traffic transiting the strait.
Iran has described the move as an unlawful restriction and warned of wider consequences. Zolfaqari labeled the U.S. action as “piracy” and said Tehran would continue enforcing its own rules for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including restricting vessels linked to what it calls “enemy forces” while allowing others under Iranian regulations.
He also indicated that Iran plans to establish a “permanent mechanism” to control access to the strait even after the current conflict ends.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that foreign military vessels attempting to pass through the strait could face a “firm response,” signaling the possibility of direct confrontation between U.S. and Iranian forces.
Rising Risk of Wider Maritime Disruption
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the world’s most strategically critical shipping routes.
Iran’s latest warning suggests the conflict could expand beyond the strait to other vital maritime corridors, including ports across the Gulf and potentially the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea—a key route for trade between Europe and Asia.
Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have also threatened to target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which could further strain regional shipping and energy infrastructure linked to Gulf producers.
While the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz has been assessed as “critical,” the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains at a “moderate” threat level, noting no confirmed incidents affecting maritime traffic there despite ongoing tensions.
Iranian Navy Commander Rear Adm. Shahram Irani said Tehran is closely monitoring U.S. military movements and dismissed Washington’s blockade as ineffective.
The escalating rhetoric follows weeks of conflict that began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, triggering retaliatory attacks and widespread disruption to shipping and energy markets.
Shipping Disruptions and Energy Market Impact
The crisis has significantly disrupted maritime traffic. As of April 12, hundreds of commercial vessels remained stranded in or near the Strait of Hormuz, including nearly 400 oil tankers, according to regional officials.
UKMTO reported that only four vessels transited the strait in the previous 24 hours, a sharp drop from the pre-conflict average of 138 per day.
Shipping data indicated that two tankers linked to Iran exited the Gulf via the strait on April 13 ahead of the planned U.S. blockade. One tanker, Auroura, was carrying Iranian oil products, while New Future transported diesel loaded from the UAE’s Hamriyah port.
The blockade announcement came after Vice President JD Vance confirmed that negotiations with Iranian officials had failed to yield progress, particularly regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The simple question is whether there is a fundamental commitment not to develop a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. “We haven’t seen that yet.”
Earlier assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated that Iran had accumulated significant quantities of uranium enriched to high levels prior to the escalation of hostilities.
Oil markets have reacted sharply, with prices rising amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions. Brent crude climbed above $100 per barrel, reflecting growing concerns over instability in the Gulf.
Analysts warn that without a diplomatic breakthrough, the situation could evolve into a prolonged crisis with lasting consequences for global energy markets.
“The market is now largely back to pre-ceasefire conditions,” said MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic. “The key question is whether further escalation will target energy infrastructure across the region, which could have longer-term impacts beyond the conflict itself.”
Original article
Comments