The US Central Command has announced plans to restore a maritime blockade around Iran, scheduled to take effect at 23:00 Moscow time on July 14.
The directive, posted on the military command’s official social media profile, marks a sharp reversal in the region’s security posture.
This development directly contradicts recent reports that a draft agreement between Washington and Tehran was nearing completion.
Those negotiations reportedly included provisions for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a temporary lifting of oil sanctions against Iran.
The reinstatement of the blockade suggests those diplomatic tracks have stalled or collapsed.
Markets had recently priced in a de-escalation scenario, with Brent crude retreating to pre-war lows as shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz normalized.