US military widens blockade on Iran to include ‘contraband’ shipments, advisory says

Amid rising tensions in the ongoing Iran war, the United States has expanded the scope of its naval blockade of Tehran’s ports, allowing forces to target ships carrying a wide range of “contraband” goods and assert the right to stop, search and seize such vessels worldwide, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a U.S. military advisory.

The “smuggled” goods included weapons, weapons systems, ammunition, nuclear materials, crude and refined petroleum products, as well as iron, steel and aluminium.

US military forces have extended the blockade of Iran to include cargo and any ship suspected of trying to reach Iranian territory “shall be subject to the warlike right of visitation and search”, the US Navy said in an advisory.
“These vessels, regardless of their location, are subject to visitation, boarding, search and seizure,” the Navy said in an updated advisory following the blockade’s imposition on Monday.