Trump orders naval blockade of Iran, threatens force after talks fail

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States will impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, interdicting “any and all ships trying to enter, or leave” the strategic waterway. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of extortion.” He also ordered the US Navy to “seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.”

Talks Fail, Nuclear Ambition Blamed

Trump said he had been “fully debriefed” by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after the weekend talks in Islamabad. “In many ways, the points that were agreed to are better than us continuing our Military Operations to conclusion, but all of those points don’t matter compared to allowing Nuclear Power to be in the hands of such volatile, difficult, unpredictable people,” he wrote. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons.

Minesweeping and Threats

Trump said efforts to clear mines from the strait would begin and warned: “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be Blown to hell!” He claimed that Iran’s navy and air force are “gone,” its anti‑aircraft and radar are “useless,” and that “Khomeini, and most of their ‘Leaders,’ are dead.” He added: “We are fully ‘locked and loaded,’ and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!” The war that began on 28 February has killed more than 3,300 people before a fragile 14‑day ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan with support from Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.