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Sun, 12 Apr 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 What is a naval blockade and how would it work in Strait of Hormuz?

Donald Trump says that the US is going to start blockading the Strait of Hormuz. What does this mean in practice?
The US military has begun enforcing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, with ships allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if they are not traveling to or from an Iranian port. Key Points:
* The blockade was announced by President Donald Trump in a series of posts on social media
* The US Navy will begin enforcing the blockade at 10:00 EDT (15:00 BST) on Monday
* Ships coming or going from elsewhere will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
* Iran has effectively closed the strait in response to US-Israeli strikes, but the US claims it is working with other countries to "clean out" the strait and restore free passage International Response:
* The UK has said it will not be involved in the blockade, but a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted that British military mine-hunting systems are already in the region
* France is working with other partners to put together a coalition to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz Impact on Shipping:
* The blockade will likely have limited impact on global shipping, as most vessels will avoid passing through the strait during this period
* Analysts say the US president's statement is aimed at building pressure on Iran to make a deal on American terms