The United States has significantly expanded the scope of its naval blockade on Iran, signaling that vessels linked to Tehran can now be boarded, searched, and seized on the high seas worldwide under wartime enforcement authorities, according to Pentagon leadership and a maritime advisory circulated to commercial shipping.
The update, issued via a Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) note on April 16 citing U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, states that “all Iranian vessels, vessels with active OFAC sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband … are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure,” regardless of location.
The language marks a major expansion from the original blockade announced on April 13, which targeted vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal facilities following the failure of U.S.–Iran negotiations to reach a breakthrough….
US Broadens Iran Blockade to Allow Boarding, Seizure of Ships Worldwide
