The US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports today (April 13) at 10 am ET (3 pm GMT and 7pm GST), following President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday on the action.

President Trump said the ​US Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes after marathon talks with Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war.

"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," said CENTCOM in a X post.

CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports," it said.

"Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to the start of the blockade. All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches," it added.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said the US would interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran, and begin destroying mines that he said the Iranians had dropped in the strait, a choke point for about 20% of global energy supplies that Iran has blocked.

"Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or ​leave, the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

"I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who ​pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," Trump added.

"Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN ⁠TO HELL!" he added.

According to latest shipping data quoted by Reuters, oil tankers are steering clear of the ​Strait of Hormuz ahead of the US blockade.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said ​on Sunday that ‌any military vessels attempting to approach the ​Strait of Hormuz ​will be considered a ⁠violation of ​the two-week US ceasefire ​and be dealt with harshly and decisively.

The strait ​is under ​the control and 'smart management' of ‌Iran's ⁠Navy, the Guards said in a statement reported by ​Iranian ​state ⁠media, adding it is "open for ​the safe passage ​of ⁠non-military vessels in accordance with specific ⁠regulations".

Trump said that the price of oil and gasoline may ​remain high in the United States ⁠through November's U.S. midterm elections, which could see Trump's Republicans lose control of the U.S. Congress if there is a public backlash. The war has already been unpopular.