United States President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping naval operation targeting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in a region critical to global energy supplies.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said the United States Navy would immediately begin the process of blockading all vessels attempting to enter or exit the strategic waterway.
“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 said.
The US president added that the measure could later be eased under controlled conditions, noting that authorities may eventually allow vessels to pass freely once certain requirements are met.
Trump further stated that he had instructed naval forces to “seek and interdict” any vessel in international waters that had paid tolls to Iran, which he described as illegal.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the straits. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown to hell,” he warned.
The announcement followed the collapse of nearly 21 hours of negotiations between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad, Pakistan, which ended without an agreement.
The failure of the talks has cast uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire that had followed weeks of escalating conflict triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In response to those strikes, Iran moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass. The disruption has already rattled international energy markets, contributing to rising fuel prices and supply concerns.
Analysts have warned that a US-led blockade could worsen the situation by further restricting trade flows and intensifying economic pressure worldwide.
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group described the move as a risky policy that could have severe consequences.
“The net result of some unwise decisions is negotiating over a nuclear programme that was previously contained and trying to reopen a strait that wasn’t closed,” he said.
Similarly, Hamidreza Azizi of the Clingendael Institute said while the operation could pressure Iran in the long term, the short- to medium-term impact on the global economy could be significant.
Trump reiterated that the US military was prepared for further escalation, accusing Iran of engaging in what he termed “illegal extortion” by charging vessels for passage through the strait.
“They want money and, more importantly, they want nuclear,” he said.
While the US president indicated that most elements of a potential agreement had been settled, negotiations ultimately stalled over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme.
“There is only one thing that matters – Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,” he said.
Earlier, Iran’s embassy in Vienna, Austria cautioned against the move, warning that a blockade would only worsen the situation.
“A blockade cannot open the Strait of Hormuz – only restrict it,” the embassy said, urging all parties to pursue dialogue and flexibility to resolve the crisis.
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