The US has begun a blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports after warning “all vessels” were at risk of diversion and capture.
Shortly after the blockade began at 2pm UTC, President Trump said on Truth Social: “If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
US Central Command (Centcom) said earlier on Monday that it would enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz that would apply to all vessels, regardless of flag.
In a note to seafarers, it said any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation would be “subject to interception, diversion and capture. The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”
Centcom added that the blockade would encompass “the entirety of the Iranian coastline to include but not limited to ports and oil terminals”. However, it said humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies, and other essential goods would be permitted, “subject to inspection”.
Nato and other US allies, including the UK, have refused to join the blockade.
An Iranian military spokesperson warned that Tehran would implement a “permanent mechanism” to control the strait in response, describing Washington’s move as illegal and “amounting to piracy”.
The spokesperson added that no port in the Gulf or Gulf of Oman would remain secure if Iranian ports were threatened.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency announced: “From 14:00 UTC on Monday, access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz. Access restrictions apply without distinction to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities.”
After reports that Tehran had been charging vessels up to $2m to pass through the strait, President Trump warned on Sunday that the US navy would “interdict” any ship that had paid a toll to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.
The US blockade is expected to lead to a return of the higher oil prices of recent weeks, after they fell upon last week’s ceasefire announcement.
Addressing the House of Commons shortly after the blockade began, Sir Kier Starmer referred to it as a lesson to learn from, specifically regarding energy.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for oil and gas getting to the international market,” said Sir Kier. “That’s pushed the price up, that’s being reflected in every household. That’s why the only way to take control of our energy bills is to go faster on energy independence
On Monday, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced in a post on X that, alongside Britain, it would host talks this week aimed at creating a “peaceful multinational mission” to restore “freedom of navigation in the strait.”
Similar comments were later made by the Qatari foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a call to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. According to a statement released by his ministry, Mr Al Thani “emphasised the need to open maritime routes, guarantee freedom of navigation and refrain from using them as a tool for pressure or bargaining”.
The latest moves came after weekend talks between Iran and the US in Islamabad failed to reach a breakthrough. Vice-president JD Vance, the leader of Washington’s delegation to Pakistan, said on Sunday, “We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms.” Tehran described the negotiations as being “full of mistrust and suspicion.”
The talks marked the highest-level negotiations between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Neither side mentioned the possibility of future dialogue. Key points of divergence include the US demand that Iran immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and forfeit its ability to enrich uranium – both demands Tehran ardently rejects.
Deputy prime minister David Lammy met with US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio in Washington DC on Monday, where they discussed the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
Amid the fragile ceasefire, Mr Lammy is understood to have highlighted the role the UK is playing in the international effort to ensure shipping can pass freely through the critical waterway.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump insisted Iran wanted to reach a deal.
Speaking at an impromptu news conference at the White House later on Monday, the president said: "We've been called this morning by the right people, the appropriate people, and they want to work a deal."
On Tehran's control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Mr Trump said: "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that's what they're doing."
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