00:00The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports is now in effect part of a push to force Tehran to
00:05reopen the Strait of Hormuz
00:06after six weeks of disruption that spiked global oil prices and cut shipping traffic dramatically.
00:12Washington has deployed more than 15 warships, including an aircraft carrier, to enforce the blockade along Iran's coastline.
00:19U.S. Central Command is leading the operation, restricting access to Iranian ports while keeping the main shipping lanes through
00:25Hormuz technically open.
00:27Traffic is still well below normal levels and we're already seeing disruption.
00:31At least two tankers turned around as the blockade began.
00:35Donald Trump says this is about forcing Iran back to the negotiating table and reopening the Strait,
00:39warning Iranian vessels could be targeted if they approach.
00:42Right now we have a blockade. They're doing no business.
00:46I didn't like seeing boats come out if they were doing business with Iran, but if they weren't, no boats
00:52came out.
00:52So now they're doing, Iran is doing absolutely no business.
00:56There's also a growing risk of a wider standoff.
00:59China says it has its own agreement with Iran to keep oil flowing and is warning the U.S. not
01:04to interfere.
01:05At the same time, diplomacy is underway.
01:08Qatar is urging Iran to engage in mediation and reopen shipping lanes,
01:12while European governments are stressing that freedom of navigation through Hormuz must be protected.
01:17So for now, it's a fragile balance.
01:19Military presence building, diplomacy continuing, and a situation that could escalate quickly.
01:25Adel Halim, Euronews, Doha.
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