US to begin enforcing maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday

The U.S. military will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday, the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said on Monday.

The blockade, covering all of Iran’s ports, oil terminals and coastal areas, will be enforced for all vessel traffic — regardless of flag — from 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 14, the center said in an advisory.

“Any vessel suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. Non-compliant vessels may be legally compelled with force,” the statement said.

The center said neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz heading to or from non-Iranian destinations will not be impeded.

美国海军领导的联合海上信息中心周一表示，美军将于周二开始对伊朗实施海上封锁。

该中心在一份公告中表示，封锁将覆盖伊朗的所有港口、石油码头和沿海地区，从美国东部标准时间7月14日下午4点开始，所有船只（无论悬挂何种旗帜）都将受到封锁。

声明称：“任何涉嫌未经授权进入或离开封锁区的船只都可能被拦截、改道和扣押。不遵守规定的船只可能会被依法强制离开。”

该中心表示，途经霍尔木兹海峡前往或来自非伊朗目的地的中立过境不会受到阻碍。