U.S. Central Command Announces Maritime Control in Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea

Welat TV – Erbil

The United States Central Command announced that the U.S. military will begin imposing maritime control in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, east of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement reported by Reuters on Monday, April 13, 2026, the command said the measure will apply to all vessels regardless of the flag they fly, noting that enforcement will begin at 14:00 GMT.

The notice added that any vessel entering or leaving the designated area without prior authorization will be subject to interception, rerouting, or detention.

This announcement comes amid escalating regional tensions linked to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and follows the United States’ declaration of control over shipping routes near Iran, after the failure of negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad.