The U.S. Navy announced late Monday, July 13, 2026, that it will begin enforcing a naval blockade against Iran at 11:00 p.m. local time (EEST) on Tuesday, July 14. The announcement came from the U.S. Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center.
According to the statement, the blockade applies to all vessels—regardless of flag—and covers Iran’s entire coastline, including its ports and oil terminals. It is not limited solely to those facilities.
However, the U.S. Navy confirmed that ‘innocent passage’ through the Strait of Hormuz—defined as transit to or from non-Iranian destinations—will not be obstructed. Ships carrying humanitarian cargo will also be permitted to pass, provided they undergo prior inspection.
UN Maritime Agency Opposes Proposed Transit Fees
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ specialized agency for shipping safety and environmental regulation, has formally objected to reports that the U.S. intends to impose a 20% fee on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO’s position follows a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed Washington would reinstate a naval blockade targeting Iran and levy the fee on all shipments passing through the strategic waterway.
In a statement issued on July 13, an IMO spokesperson said: “We are aware of the post and await further details.” The agency reiterated its longstanding stance: “The IMO firmly opposes the imposition of mandatory fees for passage through international straits used for global maritime trade. There is no legal basis under international law to charge such fees simply for transiting a strait.”
Industry Concerns Over Legality and Safety
Shipping industry officials have voiced serious concerns about the implications of the reported measures. Several described the proposed fee and expanded naval restrictions as inconsistent with international law, warning they could undermine maritime security and freedom of navigation.
“How does this make passage through the Strait safer—and what guarantees will be offered?” asked one unnamed senior industry official, referring to Trump’s post.