US FORCES will reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports less than a month after it was lifted under the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.

US Central Command (Centcom) will resume enforcing the blockade on vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports from 2000 hrs UTC on July 14, US Naval Forces Central Command (Navcent) said in a Joint Maritime Information Center advisory on Monday.

The move follows the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire over the past 10 days, during which Iran stepped up attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the US responded with strikes on Iranian targets. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks against gulf states.

The blockade “encompasses the entirety of the Iranian coastline” and applies to all vessel traffic regardless of flag, Navcent said. Neutral vessels have until enforcement begins to leave the blockaded area.

Vessels suspected of entering or leaving the blockaded area without authorisation are subject to “interception, diversion and capture”. Those that fail to comply “may be legally compelled with force”, Navcent said.

Navcent also warned that vessels suspected of carrying contraband may be subject to belligerent rights of visit and search regardless of location.

“Contraband items are subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory if their destination is territory belonging to, or occupied by, Iran,” it said.

“Contraband is defined as goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict.”

It was not immediately clear whether that definition would include oil and petroleum products, which were classified as conditional contraband during the previous blockade.

Navcent further warned that vessels conducting ship-to-ship transfers with ships violating the blockade would be considered suspected of working with or for Iran and could be boarded.

“Enforcement actions include disabling and destructive fires upon vessels who do not demonstrate immediate compliance with blockading or boarding forces,” it said.

As under the previous blockade, humanitarian shipments will be permitted, although they will remain subject to inspection.