The United States has initiated a maritime blockade aimed at intercepting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. This move is accompanied by additional airstrikes in key southern regions of Iran and new sanctions targeting oil and shipping networks. President Donald Trump has warned that if Iran does not engage in negotiations, the U.S. will begin attacking power plants and bridges starting next week.
U.S. Central Command announced on July 14 that the blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports resumed at 4 p.m. EDT (5 a.m. KST on July 15). More than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft have been deployed across the Middle East.
The blockade specifically targets vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, while commercial ships from other countries can still transit the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military reported that during the first blockade from April to June, over 140 vessels were turned back, and nine non-compliant ships were neutralized. More than 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to pass.
In conjunction with the blockade, the U.S. has conducted additional airstrikes against Iran. Recent attacks lasted for seven hours, targeting dozens of military objectives near the Strait of Hormuz and along the Iranian coastline. Iranian authorities reported that southern regions, including Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Abadan, were hit.
The U.S. has also intensified its economic pressure. The Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on individuals, companies, and over 50 vessels linked to Mohammad Hosein Shamakani, identified as a key figure in Iran's oil export network. To date, the U.S. has sanctioned more than 200 entities associated with this network.
In a Fox News interview, President Trump revealed that U.S. and Iranian delegations have been in contact. He stated, “If they do not come to the negotiating table, we will take down their power plants and bridges,” adding that “the situation will get very bad next week.”
While Trump did not set an official deadline for a final agreement, his warning indicates that if Iran does not return to negotiations, the U.S. may expand its targets to include critical infrastructure. He also noted that the ongoing airstrikes against Iran would continue “until I say stop.”
Following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cessation of hostilities last month, the U.S. and Iran had been working to lift the maritime blockade and engage in follow-up negotiations. However, renewed attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. retaliatory strikes have effectively undermined the agreement. The U.S. has reported that Iran attacked seven commercial vessels in the past week.
Iran is also escalating its response. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that “regional energy exports will be enjoyed by all or none,” threatening to block other export routes that benefit the U.S. and its allies. Iran has stated it will continue to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran claims to have attacked facilities related to the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, logistics facilities in Kuwait, and U.S. military sites in Jordan. Jordan reported intercepting three ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
If Iran's threats materialize, the conflict could extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Red Sea. The Houthi armed group in Yemen, which is allied with Iran, has been mentioned as a potential actor in blocking this strait. Prior to the conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz, so disruptions in both major routes could significantly impact global energy and logistics markets.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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