Trump Orders Naval Blockade of Hormuz as Iran Talks Collapse

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran following the breakdown of high-level peace talks in Islamabad.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said the decision was prompted by Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions despite what he described as productive negotiations.

“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,” Trump declared.
“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”

Trump acknowledged that the marathon talks in Pakistan had gone “well” and that “most points were agreed to,” but insisted Tehran remained defiant on its nuclear programme.

The announcement came shortly after U.S. Vice President JD Vance departed Islamabad without securing a deal. The talks marked the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Vance, who led the American delegation, said the United States had presented Iran with a final proposal.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” he said.

Iran’s delegation was led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

In a series of posts, Trump also accused Iran of failing to fulfill assurances regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude supply passes.

“They say they put mines in the water… They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?” Trump said.

The strait has remained largely inaccessible for weeks following a surge in hostilities triggered by coordinated airstrikes from the United States and Israel on Iranian targets more than six weeks ago.

On Saturday, the U.S. military confirmed that two naval warships had entered the waterway as part of a mine-clearing operation, signaling the beginning of a more assertive maritime strategy.

The blockade marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about global oil supply disruptions and the risk of a broader regional confrontation.

Source: AFP