US Seeks to Block Iranian Ports, Middle East Fears Double Blockade Could Escalate Situation
The US plans to blockade all Iranian Gulf ports, raising concerns among Middle Eastern media and political observers that this could push the regional situation to the brink of war. Shipping in the Gulf has already changed routes, indicating significant impacts on global economic activities. The US Navy has deployed aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln to enforce the blockade. Experts warn that a long-term blockade is difficult and highly risky, given Iran's asymmetric warfare capabilities, and escalation could target shipping and energy facilities.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 18:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 19:01 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 22:28 (51h 26m after Collected)
CAIRO, April 13 (CNA) – The United States will blockade all Iranian Gulf ports starting at 10 PM Taiwan time, drawing high attention from Middle Eastern media and political observers who fear it could push the regional situation to the brink of war. Shipping in the Gulf region has already shown significant changes, indicating a major impact on global real economic activities.
Saudi media "Arab News" cited shipping tracking data on the 12th, noting that vessels entering and exiting the Persian Gulf have gradually changed their routes, sailing closer to Qeshm Island, near the Iranian coast, instead of using the traditional central channel of the strait. This shows that the tense situation has begun to have a significant impact on real economic activities, including agriculture, industry, transportation, and commercial services.
The report also quoted naval analysts stating that the USS Gerald R. Ford, which intercepted and seized 10 sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela last year, is currently meeting with the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier on standby in the Persian Gulf. This indicates that the US has deployed sufficient naval power to execute the newly announced blockade.
Arab News analyzed that this move by the US is seen as a major escalation after the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations, aiming to exert greater pressure on Iran to make concessions on nuclear issues and regional policies.
Even if the blockade has not been fully implemented, related rhetoric and military preparations have had an immediate impact on regional shipping order, which will have a profound impact on global energy supply and maritime trade.
The report emphasized that, based on past experience, this action is full of risks. During the Iran-Iraq War from 1981 to 1987, 451 ships were attacked, mainly by missiles, in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; mines damaged at least 10 ships, resulting in 116 deaths, 167 injuries, and at least 37 missing persons.
The report predicted that if Iran refuses to accept the blockade, the US losses could far exceed the 13 US military personnel already killed since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict.
Arab News also said that this US move would expand the energy crisis caused by the current closure of the Strait of Hormuz into a global chain reaction of food crisis and social instability.
In addition, the International Maritime Organization expressed extreme concern about the safety and health of about 20,000 crew members trapped in the Gulf. Especially after shipping stagnation, insurance companies have withdrawn insurance for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and trapped crew members also face the risk of running out of food, with many crew members on the verge of psychological collapse.
Hossam Farouk, a professor of political science and political commentator at Egypt's "October 6 University," told CNA that the US blockade of Iranian Gulf ports may be militarily feasible, but long-term implementation is difficult and highly risky. Iran possesses asymmetric warfare capabilities, including speedboats, naval mining, and drones. Once the conflict escalates, shipping and energy facilities may be counterattacked, leading to an accelerated loss of control of the situation.
In addition, Farouk particularly emphasized the risk of a "double blockade," meaning that if the US imposes a blockade while Iran has already affected the navigation capacity of the strait, the shipping environment will become more uncertain, and maritime transport and insurance costs will continue to rise, further disrupting global supply chains. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 20260413
Saudi media "Arab News" cited shipping tracking data on the 12th, noting that vessels entering and exiting the Persian Gulf have gradually changed their routes, sailing closer to Qeshm Island, near the Iranian coast, instead of using the traditional central channel of the strait. This shows that the tense situation has begun to have a significant impact on real economic activities, including agriculture, industry, transportation, and commercial services.
The report also quoted naval analysts stating that the USS Gerald R. Ford, which intercepted and seized 10 sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela last year, is currently meeting with the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier on standby in the Persian Gulf. This indicates that the US has deployed sufficient naval power to execute the newly announced blockade.
Arab News analyzed that this move by the US is seen as a major escalation after the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations, aiming to exert greater pressure on Iran to make concessions on nuclear issues and regional policies.
Even if the blockade has not been fully implemented, related rhetoric and military preparations have had an immediate impact on regional shipping order, which will have a profound impact on global energy supply and maritime trade.
The report emphasized that, based on past experience, this action is full of risks. During the Iran-Iraq War from 1981 to 1987, 451 ships were attacked, mainly by missiles, in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; mines damaged at least 10 ships, resulting in 116 deaths, 167 injuries, and at least 37 missing persons.
The report predicted that if Iran refuses to accept the blockade, the US losses could far exceed the 13 US military personnel already killed since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict.
Arab News also said that this US move would expand the energy crisis caused by the current closure of the Strait of Hormuz into a global chain reaction of food crisis and social instability.
In addition, the International Maritime Organization expressed extreme concern about the safety and health of about 20,000 crew members trapped in the Gulf. Especially after shipping stagnation, insurance companies have withdrawn insurance for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and trapped crew members also face the risk of running out of food, with many crew members on the verge of psychological collapse.
Hossam Farouk, a professor of political science and political commentator at Egypt's "October 6 University," told CNA that the US blockade of Iranian Gulf ports may be militarily feasible, but long-term implementation is difficult and highly risky. Iran possesses asymmetric warfare capabilities, including speedboats, naval mining, and drones. Once the conflict escalates, shipping and energy facilities may be counterattacked, leading to an accelerated loss of control of the situation.
In addition, Farouk particularly emphasized the risk of a "double blockade," meaning that if the US imposes a blockade while Iran has already affected the navigation capacity of the strait, the shipping environment will become more uncertain, and maritime transport and insurance costs will continue to rise, further disrupting global supply chains. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 20260413