Trump's New Blockade Is Underway

The next challenge in the Iran war has arrived: President Trump's new blockade of Iranian ports took effect at 10am Eastern, reports the BBC. Washington has not formally acknowledged the start of the operation, but the Wall Street Journal reports that more than 15 US warships were in place to enforce it. Under the plan, US forces will stop ships going in and out of Iranian ports but let other vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The move is meant to choke off Iran's oil exports and raise pressure on Tehran to accept US terms for ending the war.

Two Iran-linked tankers got through hours before the deadline, notes the New York Times. And both sides were issuing warnings:

• If Iranian ports are threatened, "no port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe," said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, an Iranian military spokesman.
• Trump, meanwhile, wrote on Truth Social that if any Iranian "ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED."
• Amid the new tensions, Brent crude jumped about 7% to nearly $102 a barrel. For the record, European allies are not on board with the new blockade.
• The ceasefire announced by Trump expires on April 22, and some still see hope of striking a deal before that deadline.