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U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the American Navy to enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran following stalled negotiations over its nuclear programme.
The announcement came on Sunday after high-level talks in Islamabad failed to secure a breakthrough. While Trump acknowledged that discussions had made progress, he accused Tehran of refusing to compromise on its nuclear ambitions.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “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.”
He issued a stark warning alongside the directive, stating, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
The latest development follows a weekend of intensive negotiations in Pakistan involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The talks marked the highest-level engagement between both countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s team also included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
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Despite the extensive discussions, no agreement was reached. Addressing journalists before departing Pakistan, Vance said, “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.”
Trump, in further remarks, criticised Iran over its handling of the vital shipping route, accusing it of failing to honour commitments regarding access to the strait, through which a significant portion of the world’s crude oil supply passes.
He said, “They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?”
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified in recent weeks, with Iran effectively restricting access following a sustained military campaign by the United States and Israel targeting key installations within the country.
On Saturday, the U.S. military confirmed that two of its warships had already navigated the waterway as part of an ongoing mine-clearing operation, signaling a potential escalation in efforts to secure the route.
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