President Donald Trump don order US Navy to begin blockade for Strait of Hormuz, just hours after peace talks with Iran collapse for Pakistan. The announcement wey come early Sunday morning na direct response to the failed negotiations wey last almost 20 hours.
For back-to-back posts on Truth Social, Trump say the blockade go take effect immediately. Him talk say US Navy go begin process to stop any and all ships wey dey try enter or leave the strategic waterway. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump write. “We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits.”
The blockade announcement come mere hours after US and Iranian delegations leave Islamabad without agreement. Vice President JD Vance, wey lead the American team, say the talks break down because Iran no gree commit to stopping their nuclear program. “The simple fact is we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon,” Vance talk for press conference after the talks end.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps respond quickly to Trump’s announcement. Dem warn say any military vessels wey approach Strait of Hormuz go be seen as violation of the two-week ceasefire. The Guards talk say the strait dey open for non-military vessels, but dem get “specific regulations” for safe passage.
The failed negotiations mark the first face-to-face peace talks between US and Iran in 47 years. Trump talk say “most points were agreed to” during the marathon meeting, but the nuclear issue remain the main stumbling block. Him describe Iran’s position as “world extortion” and vow say America no go allow demself to be pressured.
For interview with Fox News‘ Maria Bartiromo, Trump give more details about the blockade. Him talk say it go be “complete blockade” and “all or nothing” policy wey mean every country go either get full access or no access at all. “We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don’t like,” Trump explain.
The timing of this escalation dey critical. The two-week ceasefire wey begin April 7 still dey hold, but tensions dey rise quickly. US official wey talk to USA TODAY say negotiations fall apart over multiple points including uranium enrichment, funding for regional proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, blame United States for the breakdown. Qalibaf, wey represent Iran for the negotiations, talk say dem raise “forward-looking initiatives” but the American side “ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation.”
Trump’s announcement na latest development for long-standing tensions over Strait of Hormuz. The 100-mile-long waterway connect Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Before the war, roughly 20% of world oil and natural gas supply pass through the narrow channel.
Since the joint US-Israeli war begin more than six weeks ago, Iran don effectively close the strait. This closure don leave hundreds of tankers trapped for Gulf, cause global market disruption, and lead to surge for energy prices worldwide.
For the negotiations, Tehran demand control of Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire across the region, and release of their frozen assets abroad. Dem also raise the issue of collecting transit fees for ships wey pass through the waterway.
Trump don previously talk say him go oppose any Iran-controlled tolls placed on ships. Him even float the idea of United States instead charging tolls. The concept of tolls don become contentious issue as both countries continue to tussle over the strategic waterway.
Reuters report say three supertankers fully laden with oil pass through Strait of Hormuz on April 11. This na first vessels to exit the Gulf since the ceasefire deal begin last week, according to shipping data.
The blockade announcement come with immediate practical concerns. Trump talk say “numerous countries” go help with the blockade, but him no specify which nations go assist or how. When asked about possible presence of mines placed by Iran, Trump say United States get minesweepers for the area now.
Pentagon and White House refer to Trump’s Fox News interview when USA TODAY contact dem for more information about the blockade. No specific timeline dey provided beyond Trump’s statement say it “will take a little while, but it’ll be effective pretty soon.”
For separate comments, Trump repeat previous threats to strike Iranian infrastructure like power plants, bridges and desalination plants. “I’m fine with it,” him talk about the threats wey bring widespread condemnation from legal experts and human rights groups. Trump argue say the threats “brought them to the table” referring to Iran and yesterday’s peace negotiations.
The situation dey remain fluid as Sunday progress. Pakistani mediators urge both sides to stick to the ceasefire while the country work to facilitate more talks for coming days. White House no immediately respond when asked if Trump administration go remain committed to the two-week ceasefire or whether plans dey to resume fighting after the agreement expire.
Global oil markets dey watch the developments closely. Windward, AI company wey track maritime activity, talk say slew of tankers dey en route to Gulf of America “to load up and deliver to shortage-hit markets.” This could help relieve pressure on global oil markets wey don dey strained by disruptions for the critical waterway.
As normal operations remain suspended for Strait of Hormuz, the immediate future of the region dey uncertain. Trump’s blockade order represent significant escalation wey could have far-reaching consequences for global energy supplies and regional stability.
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