US resumes Iran maritime blockade, launches additional strikes an hour before start

The United States resumed its maritime blockade against Iran as of 4 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday (5 a.m. Wednesday Korea time), as previously announced. An hour before the blockade took effect, the US also launched additional airstrikes against Iran.

US Central Command, which is conducting the war against Iran, posted on X that "US forces resumed the maritime blockade of vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday." CENTCOM added that more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating across the Middle East, and that US forces "remain on alert and are ready to respond at any time with overwhelming combat power."

The maritime blockade bars vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal waters, effectively cutting off Iran's oil exports and sea-based logistics. It is part of a broader economic campaign designed to apply intense financial pressure on Tehran.

CENTCOM launched the additional strikes against Iran around 3 p.m. — about an hour before the blockade began. The command said it "initiated additional strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz."

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Sirik and Bandar Abbas in the southern province of Hormozgan were struck by US missiles and projectiles. Iranian authorities said they would "announce details as soon as the initial damage assessment is complete."

The US and Iran had held two rounds of negotiations after signing an end-of-war MOU last month, but the situation reversed course after Iran launched a series of attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on July 7. Washington responded by reimposing economic sanctions on Tehran and carrying out airstrikes. Iran then struck US military bases in the Middle East and, on Sunday, announced it would fully close the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump declared Monday that the US would resume the maritime blockade against Iran, adding that airstrikes would continue as well.