Trump Orders U.S. Navy Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Failed Iran Talks

Just one day after collapsed peace negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, President Donald Trump announced a dramatic U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.

In a series of fiery back-to-back posts on Truth Social early Sunday, Trump declared that the U.S. will interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid tolls to Iran for passage through the strait. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The announcement follows Friday’s failed talks in Pakistan’s capital, where U.S. and Iranian officials failed to reach a breakthrough on regional security and maritime access. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint handling about 20% of global oil shipments, has been a flashpoint amid Iran’s reported mine-laying and toll demands on commercial traffic.

Trump’s posts didn’t stop at interdictions. He vowed the U.S. Navy would begin destroying Iranian mines in the strait and issued a stark warning: “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”

The move risks broader conflict in the Middle East, with oil prices already spiking 5% in pre-market trading. Shipping giants like Maersk and BP have halted transits, warning of supply chain chaos. Allies including Saudi Arabia expressed support, while China called for de-escalation.

White House officials confirmed carrier strike groups, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, are repositioning toward the Gulf. Pentagon sources say rules of engagement have been updated to authorize immediate responses to threats.

This blockade marks a bold shift in Trump’s second-term strategy, prioritizing “maximum pressure” on Iran after diplomacy faltered. Markets and global leaders brace for impacts on energy prices and trade routes.