President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States will begin a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of high-stakes peace talks with Iran.
Trump said the U.S. Navy would block “any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz” in a post on Truth Social, and that the blockade would begin “effective immediately.” He added that the blockade would remain until Iran opens the Strait to all traffic.
Iran has blocked the Strait, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against the country on Feb. 28. In recent weeks, it has allowed the passage of some commercial ships through the Strait, provided they pay a toll—a practice the Iranian government seeks to impose even after the war ends. Iran has said that combatants in the war against it would remain blocked from passing through.
Read more: U.S. and Iran Fail To Reach Deal on Ending War After Marathon Talks
“THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted. I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump said in his statement. He added that the U.S. military would also begin destroying mines Iran said it had laid throughout the Strait.
The White House has previously described Iran's blockade of the Strait as “completely unacceptable.”
Peace talks with Iran end without a deal
The announcement came hours after U.S. and Iranian officials failed to reach an agreement during more than 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, said the talks broke down over Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
“The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon,” Vance said, adding that Iran “chose not to accept our terms.”
In his post announcing the blockade, Trump said “most points were agreed to” during the negotiations, but emphasized that the nuclear issue remained unresolved and was “the only point that really mattered.”
Iranian officials said the talks made progress on several issues but ultimately failed to produce a deal. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on X and in a statement to Iranian state media that disagreements over nuclear policy, sanctions, and control of the Strait contributed to the impasse.
Baqaei also criticized the U.S., saying that "the success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands."
Tehran has maintained that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes and has defended its right to enrich uranium. Iranian officials have also sought to retain influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a key leverage point in negotiations.
Ceasefire is now uncertain
The breakdown leaves the status of a fragile two-week ceasefire uncertain. Analysts warn that a U.S. naval blockade could be viewed by Iran as an act of war, potentially triggering further military escalation.
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making any disruption a major concern for global markets and energy security.
Despite the failed talks, Vance said diplomacy is not over and kept open the possibility of further negotiations.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal,” he said on Sunday in Islamabad after talks with Iran collapsed. “We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
