US Military: "Vessels Entering Iran Blockade Zone Without Authorization Will Be Intercepted, Diverted, or Captured"

by Hwang Yoonju

Published 13 Apr.2026 22:30(KST)

Updated 13 Apr.2026 22:39(KST)

Oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On April 13 (local time), the U.S. military announced that starting at 10:00 a.m. (which is 11:00 p.m. Korean time on April 13), it would intercept, divert, or seize any ship entering the blockade zone without authorization.

According to reports from the Guardian and others on this day, the U.S. military sent a notice to mariners stating that it would enforce a blockade in the Arabian Sea, east of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. This measure will apply to all vessels, regardless of their flag or nationality.

The notice explicitly warned, "Any vessel entering or departing the blockade area without approval will be subject to interception, diversion, or capture."

The notice also stated, "The blockade will not interfere with neutral transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz for ships bound for or coming from destinations other than Iran."

The previous day, U.S. Central Command had announced that, starting at 10:00 a.m. on April 13, it would begin blockade measures for all maritime traffic entering or departing Iranian ports.

However, Central Command clarified that it would not interfere with freedom of navigation for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz whose origin or destination is a port other than those in Iran.