Pakistan, April 13 -- The United States (US) military has announced that it will impose a blockade on all Iranian Gulf ports starting Monday at 1400 GMT, a move that sharply escalates tensions with Iran and raises fears of wider regional conflict.

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According to a statement from US Central Command, the blockade will target all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, including those in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The directive said the measure would be enforced "impartially against vessels of all nations," while ensuring that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for non-Iranian ports would not be obstructed.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital globa...