US enforces military blockade, halts Iran’s maritime trade

The United States military has enforced a naval blockade against Iran, halting maritime trade to and from the country.

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper, said in a post on X on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Cooper said U.S. forces have maintained maritime dominance in the Middle East and, within less than 36 hours of the blockade’s start, brought seaborne trade with Iran to a complete standstill.

In a separate post, CENTCOM said Navy guided-missile destroyers were involved in the operation.

It stated: “U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission impacting Iranian ports.

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“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran. A typical destroyer has a crew of more than 300 Sailors that are highly trained in conducting offensive and defensive maritime operations.”

U.S. President Donald Trump had announced the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after failed talks in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran over the weekend.

The aim is to prevent Iran from drawing income from charging fees for passage through the strait and to cut off its oil revenues.