Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz [AFP=Yonhap News file photo]

The United States resumed its maritime blockade against Iran effective 4:00 PM Eastern Time on the 14th (5:00 AM on the 15th, Korea Standard Time).

One hour prior to the commencement of the maritime blockade, the U.S. also launched additional airstrikes against Iran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via X (formerly Twitter) that day, "The U.S. military resumed a maritime blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas, effective at 4:00 PM today (Eastern Time)."

CENTCOM further stated, "Currently, more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are conducting operations throughout the Middle East."

CENTCOM explained, "The U.S. military remains in a state of high readiness, maintaining a powerful combat posture and standing prepared to respond at any time."

The maritime blockade against Iran is a measure aimed at restricting the flow of funds to Iran by blocking the entry and exit of vessels at all Iranian ports. It targets Iranian crude oil exports and maritime logistics with the intention of severing Iran's primary sources of foreign currency revenue.

CENTCOM announced that it had begun additional airstrikes against Iran at 3:00 PM, one hour before the maritime blockade took effect.

CENTCOM stated, "We have initiated additional airstrikes against Iran to continuously degrade its ability to utilize assets for attacking merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz."

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding a cessation of hostilities signed with Iran last month, the U.S. had previously lifted the maritime blockade to pursue nuclear negotiations and de-escalate tensions.

However, following a series of recent Iranian attacks on merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. condemned the actions as a violation of the MOU, declared an end to the "truce," and has been escalating its military response.

In particular, the U.S. is applying simultaneous pressure on both Iran’s military activities and its financial foundation by pairing airstrikes with the reimposition of the maritime blockade and expanded sanctions.

As Iran continues its retaliatory attacks against nations in the Gulf region that host U.S. military bases, tensions in the Middle East appear to be reaching a fever pitch.

U.S. military airstrikes on Iran [Reuters=Yonhap News file photo. Provided by U.S. Central Command]