The US Central Command has announced that its blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented, resulting in the complete halt of economic trade entering and leaving Iran by sea. This development comes as part of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, with the US aiming to pressure Tehran into accepting its terms for a resolution.
According to US Central Command, more than 10,000 armed forces members, including sailors, Marines, and US Air Force personnel, are involved in the operation. The blockade, which was implemented on Monday, has already shown significant results, with six merchant ships complying with US orders to turn around and re-enter an Iranian port within the first 24 hours.
Impact on Global Oil Market
The blockade has also had an impact on the global oil market, with oil prices initially jumping above $100 per barrel before easing on hopes of further talks between the US and Iran. Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies in Tehran, believes that the US is hinting at renewed peace talks to ease the shock of the blockade on the global oil market.
Aslani stated, “The ceasefire, which is currently in place, is a very fragile one,” adding that the blockade “can complicate the situation”. The Iranian government considers the blockade a violation of the ceasefire and is waiting to see how the situation will unfold.
The US Navy has been actively enforcing the blockade, with a US Navy destroyer intercepting two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran on Tuesday and instructing them to turn around. The ships had left Iran's Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the US warship via radio communication.
The US President is hoping that the blockade will force Iranian officials to accept Washington's terms for ending the conflict. The blockade was announced after weekend talks between US and Iranian negotiators in Pakistan broke down, following a ceasefire announcement that had halted attacks.
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