President Donald Trump officially announced the commencement of a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, revealing that U.S. forces have already neutralized nearly the entire Iranian naval fleet.
The Destruction of the Iranian Navy
In a post shared shortly after 5:30 PM (Israel time), President Trump claimed a decisive victory over Iran’s maritime capabilities.
"The Iranian Navy is lying on the sea floor, completely destroyed: 158 ships," the President stated.
He noted that the extensive military operation has effectively neutralized Iran's traditional naval power in the strategic chokepoint. According to the President, the only vessels intentionally spared were a small number of "fast attack craft," which the administration initially did not view as a major threat.
A Warning to Remaining Craft: "Fast and Brutal"
Despite dismissing the remaining small motorboats as a minor nuisance, Trump issued a lethal warning to any Iranian sailors still operating them. He vowed that any vessel attempting to breach or approach the blockade would be "eliminated immediately."
The President compared the planned response to the tactics used against high-speed drug smuggling boats.
"If one of these ships approaches our blockade, it will be eliminated immediately using the same 'kill' method we use against drug traffickers in boats at sea," Trump warned, describing the U.S. response as "fast and brutal."
CENTCOM Activation and Rules of Engagement
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the blockade officially went into effect at 10:00 AM ET (5:00 PM in the Middle East).
According to the formal military announcement:
- Universal Enforcement: The blockade is being applied "impartially" to vessels from all nations entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.
- Geographic Scope: This includes all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
- Freedom of Navigation: CENTCOM clarified that they will not interfere with vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian ports.
- Communication: Commercial mariners have been advised to monitor "Notice to Mariners" broadcasts and maintain contact with U.S. Naval forces on Channel 16.
