The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it will begin imposing full control over maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting on Monday.
According to Reuters, CENTCOM wrote in a statement on social media that: “Immediate control will be enforced on 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. US Central Command forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
US President Donald Trump earlier on Sunday said the US Navy would immediately begin closing the Strait of Hormuz and would intercept in international waters any vessel that had paid fees to Iran.
Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social after US-Iran peace talks ended without an agreement.
He said the meeting “went very well, and most points were agreed upon,” but added that the two sides did not agree on Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump, who strongly opposes the idea of Iran imposing fees on ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, added: “As of now, the US Navy, the best in the world, will begin the process of preventing all vessels attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz.”
“I have also instructed our Navy to search for and intercept any vessel in international waters that has paid fees to Iran. No one who pays illegal transit fees will enjoy safe passage on the high seas.”
