US starts Iran maritime blockade July 14, covering all ports

The U.S. military will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran on July 14, covering all Iranian ports, oil terminals and coastal areas, the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said in an advisory issued July 13. The order applies to all vessel traffic regardless of flag from 8 p.m. GMT on July 14. The center said ships suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization could be intercepted, diverted or captured, and force could be used against vessels that do not comply. It added that neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations will still be allowed.