Trump Orders US Navy Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Failed Iran Talks

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy will blockade the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions after marathon peace talks with Iran in Islamabad ended without agreement. The strait, a critical chokepoint for 20% of global energy supplies, has been blocked by Iran amid ongoing conflict.

In a Truth Social post, Trump stated the blockade takes effect immediately, targeting ships entering or leaving the strait. He also ordered action against vessels paying tolls to Iran and the destruction of Iranian mines in the area. ‘Any Iranian who fires at us will be BLOWN TO HELL,’ he warned.

The talks, the first direct US-Iran meeting in over a decade, followed a fragile two-week ceasefire after six weeks of fighting that killed thousands and spiked oil prices. US Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation, while Iran’s team was headed by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Blame flew both ways: Vance said Iran refused to abandon nuclear ambitions, while Qalibaf accused the US of failing to build trust despite Iran’s proposals. Key sticking points included Iran’s nuclear program, control of the strait, war reparations, and a Lebanon ceasefire.

Iran demands transit fees in the strait, asset releases, and an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which continued during talks with bombings in Beirut’s suburbs. Israel insists the Lebanon conflict falls outside the US-Iran ceasefire. Trump suggested NATO allies might assist, though no confirmations emerged.

Pakistan urged preserving the ceasefire, as did Pope Leo, who expressed solidarity with Lebanon. Despite impasse, three oil supertankers passed through the strait on Saturday, the first since the truce.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)