WANA (Apr 13) – Following an official announcement by United States Central Command regarding the launch of a so-called “naval blockade” against Iran, the move has sparked widespread reactions among analysts and officials over its economic and geopolitical implications.

 

According to reports, CENTCOM stated that starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, it will begin blocking all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The decision comes under a direct order from Donald Trump, who previously declared on his social media platform that the US Navy would initiate operations targeting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

CENTCOM clarified that the blockade would apply to all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, while ships transiting to non-Iranian ports would not be affected. Nevertheless, many experts argue that the plan faces serious operational and economic challenges.

 

Iran, with approximately 8,500 kilometers of borders—including 1,600 kilometers of southern coastline, nearly 1,000 kilometers of northern maritime borders, and over 6,000 kilometers of land borders—has developed an extensive logistics network for trade. Reports indicate that export and import infrastructure is active in more than 20 locations beyond its southern ports, potentially reducing the effectiveness of any naval blockade.

 

Additionally, Iran is said to have previously exported a significant volume of oil—equivalent to 60 days of shipments—through undisclosed routes in the Persian Gulf, with the capacity to sell these reserves at current market prices. Land-based routes for transporting oil and petroleum products have also been established, enabling access to markets across Asia and even Europe.

 

International reactions have also been critical. Mark Warner described the move as “foolish,” warning that it could drive oil prices higher and place additional strain on American households.

 

Similarly, Georgi Bro argued that US policymakers are underestimating the consequences, noting that Iran maintains significant influence over the Persian Gulf, which could disrupt even the limited flow of oil from the region.

 

Meanwhile, a domestic think tank in Iran highlighted that certain land routes available to the country can deliver goods to trading partners in less than half the time required for maritime transport, further mitigating the potential impact of the blockade.

 

Given these factors, analysts suggest that the proposed naval blockade may prove less effective as an economic tool and more likely to escalate regional tensions while contributing to volatility in global energy markets.