President Donald Trump has declared plans to enforce a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to compel Iran to reopen the vital waterway. On April 12, following the failure of peace talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran, Trump stated that he would block any ships attempting to navigate in or out of the strait.

This blockade represents a tactical response to Iran’s previous use of “choke point” strategies, marking a distinct phase in the ongoing conflict between the two nations that escalated with a US-Israeli air campaign beginning on February 28. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified on April 13 that the blockade would specifically target maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports.

The US Navy’s Commander’s handbook defines a blockade as an action to prevent vessels and aircraft, regardless of their nationality, from accessing specified ports controlled by an enemy. Trump accused Iran of breaching a fundamental requirement to maintain open access to the Strait of Hormuz during negotiations.

Iran’s Response and New Shipping Route

In response to the escalating tensions, Iranian authorities reopened the strait but introduced a new shipping corridor through the islands of Qeshm and Larak, located within Iranian territorial waters. However, this development was accompanied by warnings regarding the potential dangers posed by naval mines laid by Iran following the US and Israeli attacks.

Despite concerns, maritime authorities are now referring to this alternative route as a “Tehran toll booth,” suggesting that Iran may impose fees on vessels using the corridor. Reports indicate that fewer than a dozen merchant ships have navigated through this new route since the ceasefire, and it remains unclear if any tolls were collected by Iranian authorities.

The United States has signalled its intention to establish a counter-blockade, aiming to bar vessels from entering or departing Iranian ports while keeping the strait open for non-Iranian traffic. The April 13 statement from CENTCOM specified that this blockade would apply to all nations’ vessels engaging with Iranian ports.

Potential US Military Actions

To implement the blockade effectively, the US Navy will need to undertake two key operations: the destruction of the mines in the international shipping lanes of the Strait and the deployment of forces to intercept vessels engaging with Iranian ports. On April 12, two US Navy warships transited the strait, signalling their inaugural mine clearance effort since the conflict escalated.

The US Navy has announced plans to augment its presence in the region, bringing in additional forces, including underwater drones dedicated to mine clearing. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are currently stationed in the Arabian Sea, joined by the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, amassing over 20 warships and 200 aircraft for these operations.

As the US intensifies military preparations, questions linger about Iran’s potential countermeasures. Historically, modern submarine warfare emerged from blockades, and Iran possesses a fleet of Ghadir-class submarines capable of disrupting US naval operations. Additionally, the Iranian military holds various anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones, which could potentially be utilised against any US forces operating in close proximity to the strait.

It remains uncertain how Iran will react to the evolving military situation, especially considering its limitations in protecting vessels farther from the Persian Gulf, where the majority of its naval capabilities have been compromised. The world now watches as both nations prepare for an intricate naval confrontation, balancing tactics of traditional warfare against the backdrop of modern military technology.

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