CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper arrives in Israel

ALBAWABA - Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Brad Cooper has just arrived in Israel's Tel Aviv as the U.S. blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports took effect over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran, Israeli Channel 15.

The military blockade of maritime traffic of Iranian ports started at 14:00 GMT (15:00 BST) on Monday. CENTCOM wrote on X, "The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports."

The U.S. says ships coming or going from elsewhere would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway Iran effectively closed in response to US-Israeli strikes.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the military's blockading of Iranian ports comes in an effort to pressure Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and agree on Washington’s conditions to end the war.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency mentioned the U.S. blockade restricted "the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure."

Iran and the United States agreed on a two-week ceasefire deal last week and agreed to hold talks to end the war in Pakistan. However, the first round of peace talks failed to reach a breakthrough, and both countries said they'll conduct a new round of talks, maybe by Thursday.