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Access to Iranian ports restricted, neutral vessels given grace period

13 April 2026 18:46 (UTC +04:00)

In an advisory issued a short while ago, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British navy’s maritime coordination center, said it has been informed that as of 2 p.m. UTC (10 a.m. ET) today, “maritime access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, CNN reports.

That time corresponds with the timeframe given by the US military, which said it will enforce a blockade on all traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports from 10 a.m. ET today.

The restrictions will be enforced at locations along the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO said, and will encompass “the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure.”

The restrictions will also apply to vessels of any flag that engage with “Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities,” it said. Neutral vessels that are currently at Iranian ports “have been granted a limited grace period to depart,” UKMTO added.