Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Begin Hormuz Blockade After Talks Collapse
Washington — Donald Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of peace talks with Iran, in a move aimed at tightening pressure on Tehran during the ongoing conflict.
In a post on social media, Trump said U.S. naval forces would block “any and all ships” attempting to enter or leave the waterway, which carries roughly 20% of global oil supplies and is central to international energy markets.
He added that the Navy had been instructed to “seek and interdict every vessel in international waters” that had paid a toll to Iran, describing such payments as illegal and warning that affected ships would not be granted safe passage.
The announcement came shortly after U.S. officials ended negotiations with Iran in Pakistan without reaching an agreement, prompting Washington to escalate efforts to curtail Tehran’s economic leverage derived from control over the strategic shipping lane.
Trump said Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained a key obstacle to resolving the conflict and signaled readiness for further military action. “At an appropriate moment, we are fully ‘locked and loaded,’” he wrote, adding that U.S. forces would “finish” the remaining aspects of the war.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, and any disruption to shipping through the narrow passage has the potential to impact oil prices and international trade flows.
No immediate response from Iranian authorities was reported.
