The U.S. military will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday, the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center announced. The blockade will cover all of Iran's ports, oil terminals, and coastal areas, and will be enforced for all vessel traffic regardless of flag starting at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 14. The center stated that any vessel suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture, and that non-compliant vessels may be legally compelled with force. Neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz heading to or from non-Iranian destinations will not be impeded.
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