President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy will immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. He also ordered U.S. forces to stop any ships in international waters that have paid tolls to Iran. The announcement came shortly after high-level peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without a deal.
In a detailed post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the U.S. Navy would start “BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.” He added that American forces would destroy mines laid by Iran in the area. Trump warned that any Iranian who fires on U.S. ships or “peaceful vessels” would be “blown to hell.” He described Iran’s actions as “world extortion” and said no country should have to pay illegal tolls for safe passage on the high seas.
Trump said the blockade would involve other countries, though he did not name them, and that it would “begin shortly.” He argued that Iran wants both money from the tolls and the ability to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION,” he wrote.
Background: Collapse of Negotiations
The move follows marathon peace talks in Pakistan that broke down on Saturday. Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation. Reports indicate the talks focused on U.S. “red lines,” including ending all uranium enrichment, dismantling major nuclear facilities, fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran did not agree to all of these demands.
Former U.S. negotiator Robert Malley commented that if those were firm red lines, the trip may not have been necessary. Iranian-American commentator Hooman Majd noted that Iran is unlikely to accept every point, meaning the U.S. would either need to return to talks with compromises or risk further conflict.
Iranian Response
Iran reacted defiantly. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the country’s top negotiator, said Trump’s threats would not affect the Iranian people. “If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic,” he told state media. “We will not bow to any threats.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any military vessels approaching the strait would violate the ceasefire and be met with a harsh response. President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed a desire for “lasting regional peace,” as long as Iran’s interests are respected. He also criticized the U.S. use of Gulf bases for strikes against Iran.
Mixed Allied Support
Trump claimed in a Fox News interview that “numerous countries” — including the UK — would help with minesweepers. However, British officials told The Guardian that the UK will not join any U.S.-led blockade. The UK has mine-hunting capabilities in the region and has discussed helping make the strait safer, but it sees that as different from participating in a blockade, which could raise the risk of escalation.
Trump’s Broader Statements
In the same interview, Trump said the United States does not depend on oil from the Strait of Hormuz. “We don’t get our oil from there. We have so much oil,” he said, adding that the U.S. produces “light, sweet, crude.” He predicted that oil prices would eventually fall once the situation is resolved, despite short-term spikes caused by the conflict.
Trump also defended his strong language toward Iran, including past threats to destroy the country’s energy infrastructure and power plants if no deal is reached. He claimed his tough talk helped bring Iran to the negotiating table. Legal experts have warned that deliberately attacking civilian power plants and energy systems could amount to war crimes under international law because of the disproportionate harm to civilians.
Reactions and Concerns
Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, questioned the strategy on CNN. “I don’t understand how blockading the strait is going to somehow push the Iranians into opening it,” he said. “I don’t get the connection there.”
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. About one-fifth of global oil passes through it. Any prolonged disruption risks higher energy prices worldwide and could affect supply chains far beyond the Middle East.
As of Sunday, the situation remains tense. The U.S. says it is “locked and loaded” and ready to act, while Iran insists it will defend itself and control the strait according to its own rules for non-military vessels. Whether the blockade leads to new talks or further military action is still unclear.