A US blockade of Iran’s ports is in place with President Donald Trump warning that any vessels approaching the blockade of Iranian shipping would be “immediately eliminated.”
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED… It is quick and brutal,” Trump wrote on social media, referring to Iranian naval vessels.
The US military on Monday began enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, targeting maritime traffic linked to Tehran after weeks of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Since the conflict in the Middle East began on Feb. 28, Iran has effectively restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, allowing passage only under its control and subject to fees. The narrow corridor previously carried nearly 20% of global oil and gas flows.
Washington has now moved to counter that control, warning that ships engaging with Iranian ports – or complying with Tehran’s toll system – could face consequences.
A Chinese-owned tanker passed through the strait on Tuesday – the first such transit since the blockade was announced – after initially turning back.
As per Reuters, based on data from LSEG, MarineTraffic, and Kpler, the Rich Starry tanker is the first vessel to transit the strait and exit the Gulf since the blockade began.
The tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were sanctioned by US for dealings with Iran.
The medium-range tanker is carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol, loaded at Hamriyah in the United Arab Emirates. It has a Chinese crew on board.
Another sanctioned vessel, Murlikishan, also entered the strait on Tuesday. The empty tanker is expected to load fuel oil in Iraq on April 16. Formerly known as MKA, it has previously transported Russian and Iranian oil.
The blockade has drawn little international support. NATO allies, including the United Kingdom and France, have declined to participate, instead calling for the reopening of the waterway.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain fragile. Following inconclusive talks in Islamabad, US officials said negotiations with Iran were continuing.
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had made “a lot of progress,” though key disagreements remain – particularly over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump reiterated that any agreement would require Iran to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions, including removing enriched material and accepting verification mechanisms.
US Central Command said the blockade would be enforced “impartially” against vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, but would not interfere with neutral transit through the strait.
Iran has sharply condemned the move. A military spokesperson described the blockade as “piracy,” warning that if Iranian ports are targeted, no port in the Gulf would be safe. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also warned that US naval actions could violate the ceasefire.
Trump, however, claimed Iran’s naval capabilities had already been largely destroyed, stating only a small number of “fast-attack” vessels remained.
The blockade adds a new layer of uncertainty to global markets and regional security, with oil prices briefly dipping below $100 amid cautious optimism that diplomacy could still avert further escalation, according to the Reuters report.