U.S. Military Completes Full Blockade of Iranian Ports at Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. Central Command announced on April 15, 2026, that its naval forces have fully implemented a blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, halting all maritime economic trade entering and exiting Iran. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, confirmed the operation's completion in an official statement. The blockade affects one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints, through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil passes, directly impacting global energy markets and prices. The move represents a significant escalation in U.S. economic pressure on Iran and raises immediate concerns about regional stability and international shipping safety.