US claims ‘completely halted’ Iran seaborne trade, China terms move 'dangerous and irresponsible'

The United States on Monday said it has effectively shut down Iran’s seaborne trade after enforcing a sweeping naval blockade, escalating tensions in West Asia following the collapse of peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper said American forces had established “maritime superiority” and halted economic traffic to and from Iran within hours of launching the operation.

“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” Cooper said in a statement. “In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”

CENTCOM said more than 10,000 US personnel, supported by over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, were involved in the operation. It added that no ships had passed through the blockade in the first 24 hours, with at least six merchant vessels turning back after warnings from US forces.

The blockade, which began on April 13, targets all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

US officials said the measures were being applied to vessels of all nationalities.

However, Washington clarified that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain open for vessels travelling to and from non-Iranian ports.

The clarification appeared to narrow the scope of Trump’s earlier announcement, in which he said the US Navy would begin “blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”

In a social media post, Trump accused Iran of “world extortion” and warned that vessels paying tolls to Tehran could be intercepted in international waters.

He also said any Iranian retaliation against US forces or commercial shipping would be met with overwhelming force.

The escalation follows the breakdown of 21-hour negotiations between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Trump said most issues had been resolved, but talks failed over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reiterating that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon”.

The blockade drew swift criticism from China, which called it a “dangerous and irresponsible move” that risks undermining a fragile ceasefire and escalating confrontation in the region.

“Only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation,” Guo said, urging all parties to resolve disputes through diplomatic means.

China, a major importer of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, could face long-term economic impacts from the disruption.