US Imposes Naval Blockade on Iranian-Linked Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Trump said the US Navy would block “any and all” Iranian-linked ships in the Strait of Hormuz after talks in Pakistan collapsed over Tehran’s nuclear stance, though the United States Central Command clarified that non-Iran-linked vessels would still be allowed passage. Iran countered that a deal was close before the US shifted terms, with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saying Tehran “will not submit to threats,” while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned any warships entering the strait would be treated as ceasefire violations and met with a severe response. – Here are the key developments on April 13, 2026 There is still some uncertainty over how the blockade will actually work on the ground. Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera noted that President Trump initially suggested the blockade would target all ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) later narrowed the scope, saying it would apply only to vessels going to or from Iranian ports. CENTCOM also made it clear that freedom of navigation would still apply for ships passing through without linking to Iranian ports. The sudden halt in shipping has added pressure on already shaken markets. Oil prices surged again after the failed US-Iran talks and the new blockade decision. West Texas Intermediate rose above $104 a barrel, while Brent crude crossed $103, both jumping more than 8 percent. Asian markets also opened weaker, though the falls were smaller compared to earlier weeks of the conflict. Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi both slipped, but recovered part of their losses during early trading. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which had already been running at lower levels, has now “immediately halted” after the US announced plans for a naval blockade, according to maritime intelligence firm Lloyd’s List. The firm said that before the announcement on Sunday, ships were still moving through the strait, though in smaller numbers. There was even a slight rise in tanker movement on Saturday as some operators tried to move vessels out of the Gulf before the situation worsened. “In the wake of Trump’s naval blockade announcement, however, all traffic appears to have halted and at least two vessel that had appeared to be heading to exit the strait have since turned around,” Lloyd’s List said. A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaee, said the US will fail in any attempt to impose a naval blockade after Donald Trump threatened action on the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaee said Iran’s armed forces would not allow such a move and warned that the country possesses “untapped capabilities” to respond, adding that Iran cannot be contained through “tweets or imaginary blockade plans.” Trump said two US service members shot down over Iran earlier this month have been rescued and are recovering well. Trump claimed the temporary US-Iran ceasefire remains intact, even after talks in Pakistan ended without a deal. United States Central Command confirmed the Hormuz blockade will begin Monday. Anthony Albanese said Canberra has received no request to assist the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The UK is also unlikely to join, instead working with partners to ensure safe navigation through the key shipping lane. Despite Trump saying “other countries” would join, it remains unclear which nations will support the blockade. Donald Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV, calling him “terrible for foreign policy” over his position on the Iran conflict. Trump said he disagrees with the pope’s views on nuclear weapons and US actions, adding he does not support a religious leader criticising American policy. Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, had earlier called Trump’s threats against Iran “unacceptable,” growing more vocal on the war. Trump claimed the pope was elevated partly because he is American, suggesting it was a strategic choice by the Church. American lawmakers from both parties said there is still room for talks with Iran, though concerns remain over a prolonged conflict. The Strait of Hormuz may be at the centre of the crisis right now, but another narrow waterway is quietly coming into focus, and the warning coming from Tehran is hard to ignore. Iran has hinted that if the US moves ahead with blocking Hormuz, it could respond by turning to the Bab al-Mandeb, a key route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that carries around 12% of the world’s oil. Speaking to CNBC, Donald Trump said markets have held up better than expected amid the conflict, arguing only a nuclear attack would trigger a major crash, while noting stocks are down slightly and gas prices have not risen as sharply as feared. The group said it carried out over 40 attacks across southern Lebanon and northern Israel, including rockets and drone strikes. Air raid sirens were reported in Israel’s Upper Galilee following rocket launches from Lebanon. Israeli forces have stepped up operations around Bint Jbeil, possibly aiming for strategic gains ahead of upcoming negotiations. Israel signalled it is not discussing a ceasefire with Hezbollah, even as it engages diplomatically with the Lebanese government. Airstrikes continued across the south even as Beirut saw a pause, reportedly due to US pressure ahead of expected talks. Benjamin Netanyahu briefly visited southern Lebanon and later said military operations would continue, including inside a proposed “security zone.” Lebanese officials said the ambulance was clearly marked and had coordinated movement, raising concerns over targeting of emergency workers. A paramedic was killed after an ambulance was hit in southern Lebanon, with the Red Cross condemning the attack as a violation of humanitarian protections. Trump is also weighing resuming limited military strikes, with a full-scale bombing campaign still an option—though officials say it’s less likely for now. According to WSJ report, the US is considering a temporary blockade while pushing allies to take responsibility for long-term naval escorts through the strait. Despite the tough rhetoric and military moves, aides say Trump remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran. The US military says the blockade of Iranian ports will begin Monday. Trump warned that Iran’s water, power and desalination facilities are “easy to hit." Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran engaged in good faith and was close to an Islamabad deal, but accused the US of maximalist demands and sudden escalation with the blockade. In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war. But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade. Zero lessons earned Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran “will not submit to threats,” as tensions spike following the collapse of negotiations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any military vessels entering the strait would be seen as ceasefire violations and met with a “severe” response. Washington blamed Iran’s refusal to curb its nuclear programme, while Tehran said a deal was “inches away” before the US shifted terms and hardened its stance. United States Central Command said non-Iran-linked ships will still be allowed passage, signalling a targeted blockade rather than a complete chokehold on global shipping. Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked ships in the Strait of Hormuz after high-stakes talks in Pakistan failed. The move has thrown the already fragile ceasefire into fresh uncertainty.