US Central Command has just released a statement saying a naval blockade will begin at 10am Eastern time tomorrow [1500GMT], April 13. That gives us a little over 12 hours from now.
They say the blockade will be enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The statement goes on to say that CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
Several points here are different from the threat we heard from Donald Trump on social media earlier.
You will recall he said that all ships that paid an Iranian toll would be pursued and interdicted in international waters. That is not what CENTCOM is saying. They are saying the US naval blockade will only impact vessels leaving or entering Iranian ports and coastal areas and that vessels not destined to or from those ports would have freedom of navigation through the strait.
To be clear: This blockade kicks in at 10am Eastern time on April 13 – tomorrow morning here in Washington.
