Trump Orders Reinstatement of Iranian Blockade, Affirms Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Open

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade aimed at Iranian ships and ports, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open for all other nations.

In his statement, Trump emphasized that the blockade is designed specifically to restrict Iranian maritime traffic, stating, "We are reinstating the Iranian blockade, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving." He further declared that the United States would act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait," and noted that the country would receive a reimbursement of 20% on all cargo shipped in exchange for ensuring safety in this critical shipping route.

This announcement follows a series of U.S. military strikes against Iran, which escalated tensions in the region and prompted retaliatory actions from Tehran targeting Gulf nations. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns regarding the safety of vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor that facilitates approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply.

According to U.S. Central Command, the recent military operations targeted around 140 locations in Iran, including missile and drone launch sites, as well as weapons storage facilities. The strikes aimed to diminish Iran's capabilities to threaten civilian maritime traffic.

In a notable development, three unmanned surface vessels were deployed in the operation, marking the first use of sea drones in combat by American forces. CENTCOM reported that these strikes significantly impaired Iran’s ability to conduct attacks on commercial shipping.

Iranian media reported casualties from the strikes, including the death of a naval officer, while the Iranian government reiterated its claim over the Strait, insisting it should control access and impose fees on passing vessels.

As tensions continue to escalate, fuel prices in the U.S. have seen an uptick, with the national average for gasoline now at $3.87 per gallon, reflecting an increase of eight cents from the previous week.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).