Washington, April 13 (NationPress) The United States is set to implement a comprehensive maritime blockade on vessels moving to and from Iranian ports starting April 13, significantly heightening tensions after failed negotiations between Washington and Tehran, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program.

This announcement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) follows a directive from the president and aims to restrict "all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports," which includes routes through the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

According to CENTCOM, "The blockade will be enforced equitably against ships from all nations," and US forces will not obstruct vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. The blockade is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, as per CENTCOM's statement.

Commercial mariners are urged to keep an eye on official navigation alerts and maintain communication with US naval forces while operating in the vicinity.

This announcement followed US President Donald Trump's comments that discussions with Iran had stalled over its nuclear aspirations despite progress in other areas.

“Most issues were agreed upon, but the pivotal matter, the NUCLEAR aspect, was not,” Trump stated, revealing that the US Navy would initiate "the process of BLOCKADING any and all ships attempting to enter or exit" the Strait of Hormuz.

He accused Iran of "WORLD EXTORTION" by threatening to deploy naval mines in the strait, a crucial global energy passage. "No one paying an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he declared, adding that US forces would also "begin dismantling the mines laid by the Iranians in the Straits."

Iran responded firmly, claiming the blockade disrupted nearly finalized negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi mentioned that Tehran had engaged in “good faith to end war” and was “merely inches away” from an agreement before facing “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.”

“Good will leads to good will. Enmity leads to enmity,” he asserted.

Experts following the conflict note that the core of the dispute revolves around Iran's utilization of uncertainty regarding naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to exert pressure on global shipping. The Institute for the Study of War observed that Iran had declared a “hazardous area” covering vital shipping lanes, compelling vessels to enter Iranian territorial waters where they were subjected to “protection fees.”

“This protection scheme is illegal under maritime law,” they stated, emphasizing that no nation bordering a strait can restrict passage or impose fees under international conventions.

The threat of mines—reportedly fewer than a dozen—has raised oil prices and shipping insurance premiums, even without direct attacks, analysts noted.

US naval forces are already taking steps to counter this strategy. Destroyers, including the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, have navigated the strait to guarantee safe passage and initiate mine-clearing operations. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper indicated that safe routes would be communicated to civilian shipping “as soon as possible.”