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US-Iran Tensions Flare as Warships Face Off in Strategic Strait

The US Central Command reports the dock landing ship USS Rushmore is conducting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, supported by the destroyer USS Pinckney. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced it has blocked the Strait of Hormuz in response, vowing to keep it closed until the US lifts its naval blockade. Despite both sides confirming the strait was open for commerce on Friday, former US President Donald Trump stated the US blockade would remain, prompting Iran's threat of renewed closure. Iran's Supreme National Security Council says it will control the strait by issuing permits, charging fees, and directing traffic until lasting peace is achieved.

Key Points: US Navy Blockade, Iran's Strait of Hormuz Closure Threat

  • USS Rushmore leads blockade
  • Iran closes Strait of Hormuz
  • Trump vows blockade continues
  • Iran demands control and fees
  • Ceasefire violations could shut strait
2 min read

USS Rushmore conducts blockade operations in Arabian Sea: Central Command

USS Rushmore enforces blockade as Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz. Latest on US-Iran naval standoff and regional security.

"the US naval blockade would 'remain in full force.' - Donald Trump"

Washington, April 19

The US Central Command has said that the dock landing ship USS Rushmore is conducting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.

Earlier Saturday (local time), it was said on social media that a guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney is patrolling regional waters in support of the blockade operations. Meanwhile, the USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport dock ship, is monitoring shipping, reports Xinhua news agency.

The move came as the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.

On Friday, both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the US naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the strategic waterway again if the US blockade continues.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said that the country is determined to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and a lasting peace is achieved in the region.

The statement, reported by Iranian media, came after Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced earlier on Saturday the resumption of strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, citing the continuation of US naval blockade against Iran.

The SNSC said it will control the strait by demanding vessel information, issuing passage permits, charging fees for security and environmental services, and directing traffic according to its regulations and wartime protocols, Xinhua news agency reported.

"By the time the enemy seeks to cause disruption to the vessels' transit through the strait and resorts to methods such as imposing a naval blockade, which will be considered as violations of the (current two-week) ceasefire, the country will prevent the conditional and restricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The US and Iran playing this dangerous game again. It feels like the whole world has to suffer because of their tensions. Our shipping companies and exporters will face delays and higher costs. When will this end?
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Arjun K
India needs to step up its diplomatic efforts here. We have good relations with both Iran and the US. We should act as a mediator to de-escalate this situation. It's in our national interest.
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Sarah B
While I understand the strategic concerns, the US blockade seems overly aggressive. It's escalating tensions unnecessarily. There has to be a better way to handle this through the UN or multilateral talks. The "my way or the highway" approach isn't working.
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Vikram M
Iran charging fees for "security and environmental services" now? That's just a fancy way of saying toll tax during a crisis. This whole thing is a mess. Hope our Navy is keeping a close watch on our merchant vessels in the region.
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Karthik V
This is why we need to diversify our energy sources and routes. Over-dependence on one chokepoint is a strategic vulnerability. Time to fast-track projects with other suppliers and invest more in renewables.

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