Washington/Tehran, 13 April (H.S.): The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that it is prepared to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports, which will take effect on the morning of 13 April at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. In the wake of CENTCOM’s announcement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for civilian vessels and warned that any foreign warship attempting to pass through the waterway will be treated as a violation of the ceasefire and met with “strict action.”

According to reports from Al Jazeera, CBS News and Fox News, U.S. Central Command stated on the social‑media platform X that, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, its forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on 13 April at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. This blockade will apply equally to ships of all nations that attempt to enter or leave Iranian ports and coastal areas. The order covers Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

CENTCOM has emphasized that it will not obstruct the free passage of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non‑Iranian ports. The command added that prior to the start of the blockade, an official notice will be broadcast to commercial mariners, providing additional information.

All seafarers have been advised to monitor these broadcasts and, when operating in the vicinity of the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, to maintain contact with U.S. Navy forces via VHF “bridge‑to‑bridge” Channel 16.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps asserted on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to ordinary civilian ships.

In a statement, the IRGC said that as long as such vessels adhere to international regulations, they will be allowed to pass safely. However, it warned that any military vessel entering the strait will be regarded as breaching the ceasefire and will face “strict measures.”

President Trump stated that Britain and its allied nations will deploy minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz, but the British government has contradicted that claim. One British source said London will not participate in any American‑led plan to secure the Strait.

A British government spokesperson declared, “We support the freedom of navigation and the continued openness of the Strait of Hormuz. There should be no toll or closure imposed on this vital waterway. We are working with France and other partners to build a broad coalition to defend the freedom of navigation.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar