Sri Lanka, April 13 -- The US military has warned that any vessels entering or exiting the area of its upcoming blockade without permission will be "subject to interception, diversion, and capture".

In a note to seafarers, seen by Reuters, US Central Command said it would enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz from 7:30 p.m. Sri Lanka time today.

The blockade will apply to all traffic regardless of flag, it said.

The note said:

"Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area ⁠without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture.

"The blockade will not ⁠impede neutral transit passage through the Strait ⁠of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations...