U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Cuts 90% of Iran's Seaborne Trade in First Days

Blockade Implementation and Immediate Effects

Blockade on the Strait of Hormuz began on Monday and has shut down trade to and from Iran's ports. Military officials stated that the blockade has cut off an estimated 90 percent of Iran's economy.

U.S. Central Command head halted 90 percent of Iran’s economy fueled by international trade by sea in less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented. 1.5 million barrels of oil per day and conducted about $340 million in seaborne trade per day.

The blockade caused 13 ships to turn around, according to officials. U.S. Central Command.

Military Warnings and Operations

U.S. forces will use force, including boarding ships, if vessels do not comply with the blockade. U.S. forces will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.

U.S. forces will pursue dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil in other areas of the world, including the Pacific. U.S. military has set up operations well out into the Gulf of Oman, monitoring 18 ports with intelligence and surveillance, according to officials.

U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian-flagged vessel trying to skirt the blockade, according to Defense News. Adm. Brad Cooper issued a statement on Wednesday.

Presidential Statements and War Context President

President Trump praised the blockade as incredible on Thursday and said Iran is unable to do any business because of the blockade.

The war with Iran began nearly seven weeks ago, and the war in Iran is six weeks long. -allied GCC states. Iran enacted a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz separates the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas traverses the Strait of Hormuz during normal times.

Recent Talks and International Responses Talks

And Iran last week ended with no resolution. U.S. began its blockade of Iranian ports shortly after the talks in Pakistan concluded. The Pakistani-mediated ceasefire went into effect on April 7-8. Iran launched drones at Omani port cities of Duqm, Salalah, and Sohar since the war began.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei denied Tehran’s involvement in drone attacks on Oman and attributed them to Israel. No missiles have hit Omani territory throughout the conflict, and Muscat is the only GCC capital spared from Tehran’s attacks throughout the conflict. Oman expressed deep regrets in response to Washington and Tel Aviv’s decision to launch a war against Iran on February 28.

Oman was the only GCC state untouched by Iranian military operations following the Pakistani-mediated ceasefire on April 7-8. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are chairing a meeting of around 40 non-belligerent countries on Friday, focused on securing the Strait of Hormuz, according to France 24.

Shipping Incidents and Broader Impact

A Pakistan-flagged tanker named Shalamar exited through the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday, carrying around 450,000 barrels of crude loaded at Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, according to ship-tracking data.

The Shalamar sailed just south of Iran’s Larak Island and out into the Gulf of Oman, and it entered the Persian Gulf over the weekend. U.S. blockade began on Monday, according to South China Morning Post.

A Hong Kong-flagged tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to @SCMPNews. The Middle East conflict has largely halted shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, according to @IEA. Officials threatened attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, according to The New York Times.