Strait of Hormuz crisis: US resumes Iranian port blockade amid renewed hostilities

Washington: The United States military has re-established its naval blockade of Iranian ports following a series of Iranian assaults on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as a temporary truce collapses and fears intensify over a regression into full-scale warfare.

Washington originally enforced the maritime blockade in mid-April before dismantling it in mid-June, just 24 hours after the ratification of an interim ceasefire intended to bring a permanent end to the conflict. The accord established a 60-day window to concurrently negotiate a settlement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme; however, diplomatic talks have ground to a halt as hostilities over the strategic waterway have escalated.

When US President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of the blockade on Monday, he also declared intentions to levy a 20 per cent tariff on vessels navigating the strait. He subsequently abandoned the fee collection proposal mere hours before the blockade resumed, attributing the policy reversal to appeals from allied nations in the Gulf.

The economic manoeuvring occurred alongside continued military action, with the United States executing air raids against Iran for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, whilst preparing to seal off the country's coastline.

The aerial operations are intended to diminish "Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command stated on the social media platform X.

The command added that the bombardments took place as "American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas."