President Donald Trump is following through on a threatened blockade of Iranian ports by U.S. forces after peace talks broke down between the United States and Iran April 12.
The blockade was scheduled to start at 10 a.m. ET April 13. It will affect “vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” according to U.S. Central Command.
At least 15 U.S. warships will be part of the blockade, according to an unidentified official cited by the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. military has not officially released specifics of the blockade, nor has it released information about the number of warships involved and whether warplanes will be used. NATO allies are refusing to join the blockade.
U.S. officials notified shipping companies that the blockade will apply to all vessel traffic, regardless of the country flag they fly, Reuters reported.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported Trump's threatened blockade and vowed to continue fighting in Lebanon ahead of peace talks in Washington.
