Accusingly, the US says it will intercept any ship that tries to “break” the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
More specifically, the US military’s Middle East Command (CENTCOM) has said it will blockade the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz – in other words, access to Iran’s ports and the sailing of ships from them.
In fact, CENTCOM clarified in its note to sailors, which was obtained by Reuters news agency, that the blockade will take effect at 5 p.m. (GMT) and will apply to the movement of all ships, regardless of flag.
“Any ship entering or leaving the blockaded area without permission will be subject to interception, course change and arrest,” the US forces said.
“The blockade will not prevent neutral passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations,” they go on to stress.
The blockade “includes the entire Iranian coastline to include, not be limited to, ports and oil terminals,” the note said, adding that humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies and other essential goods (and) will be allowed, subject to inspection.
