US Resumes Iran Naval Blockade, Launches Fresh Airstrikes as Tensions Rise

US Deploys 20 Warships and Hundreds of Military Aircraft

The US has resumed a naval blockade of Iran and launched additional airstrikes, raising military tensions in the Middle East. Washington had sought to ease tensions after signing a memorandum of understanding with Tehran on ending hostilities last month. It reversed course after attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz continued.

US Central Command wrote on X on July 14 that it had resumed the naval blockade at 4 p.m. for vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. That was 5 a.m. in South Korea on July 15.

More than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are now operating across the Middle East, Central Command said. The military remains on alert and is ready to respond at any time with strong combat capability.

The US began additional airstrikes on Iran at 3 p.m., one hour before the blockade took effect. Central Command said the strikes were intended to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The naval blockade is aimed at preventing vessels from entering or leaving all Iranian ports, cutting off oil exports and maritime logistics. The measure is intended to squeeze one of Iran's main sources of foreign-currency revenue and its fiscal base, while also pressuring its military activity.

The US had suspended the blockade for a period under the memorandum on ending hostilities signed with Iran last month.

That changed after Iran recently carried out a series of attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The US has characterized those attacks as a violation of the memorandum, declared the ceasefire over, and is now combining airstrikes, a naval blockade and additional sanctions.

Iran is also continuing retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries that host US military bases.

Kim Dae-young, Hankyung.com reporter kdy@hankyung.com