Brussels [Belgium], April 13 (ANI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has underscored the critical need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing the restoration of maritime access as a top priority for the international community.

Highlighting the severe economic and logistical consequences of the current blockade, the President stated, 'The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging.'

As regional tensions continue to impact global trade routes, von der Leyen called for immediate efforts to ensure the unhindered movement of vessels through the strategic waterway. 'The restoration of the freedom of navigation is of paramount importance for us,' she said.

This call for maritime stability comes as the crisis escalated sharply in Washington, where US President Donald Trump declared a naval blockade on all vessels entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows the collapse of negotiations between American and Iranian delegations.

Issuing the directive after the talks ended without a resolution, the President stated, '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.'

Expanding on the scope of the maritime operation, Trump noted that the US Navy intends to locate and board any ship in international waters found to have provided transit payments to Tehran. 'No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,' he declared.

The President further warned that the blockade is operational at the current time. He issued a stern caution to Iranian forces, asserting that any personnel who targeted American or civilian ships would be 'BLOWN TO HELL,' adding that the US military is 'LOCKED AND LOADED' to eliminate the remainder of Iran's military assets.

Providing technical details on the enforcement of the measure, a statement from CENTCOM clarified that the restrictions are directed specifically at vessels moving to or from Iranian ports. The military command confirmed the blockade was scheduled to commence at 10 am ET today, Monday, April 13. (ANI)