In a bold move, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would initiate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to assert control over this vital maritime route from Iran. This decision follows the breakdown of peace talks between the two nations that took place in Pakistan.
During these negotiations, which lasted for 21 hours, Trump also issued a warning to Iran, threatening to target its water treatment facilities, power stations, and bridges unless the country agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons program—a key issue that has impeded progress in discussions.
Trump’s unexpected declaration regarding the blockade came after the peace negotiations in Islamabad faltered early on Sunday. JD Vance, the vice president and leader of the U.S. delegation, noted that Iran had not shown willingness to relinquish its nuclear ambitions, while Iranian representatives claimed that the U.S. needed to take further steps to build trust.
In a move that could escalate oil prices, Trump directed the U.S. Navy to begin “blockading any and all vessels attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.” He accused Iran of extorting tolls from tankers, asserting that the blockade would commence at 10 a.m. ET (2 p.m. GMT) on Monday, as announced by U.S. Central Command.
In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any U.S. warships approaching the strait to enforce this blockade would be seen as a violation of the current ceasefire, and they vowed to respond forcefully. They emphasized that control of the strait remained firmly in Iranian hands.
On Saturday, two U.S. destroyers navigated the strait without incident, although Iranian media reported that they faced threats upon their departure. The U.S. military characterized this movement as the beginning of a mine-clearing operation in the area.
Trump stated that U.S. naval forces would “search for and intercept every vessel” that had paid Iran since the conflict commenced and would start demining operations in the central section of the strait, which Iran had previously designated as a “hazardous area.” The exact number of mines in the region remains uncertain.
Since the onset of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, approximately 100 tankers have traversed the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly paying up to $2 million each for passage. Many of these vessels were en route to China and India, carrying Iranian oil products, raising potential diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and these importing countries.
Following Trump’s blockade announcement, oil prices surged in early trading, with U.S. crude oil increasing by 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude rising by 7% to $102.29.
After the negotiations concluded, both U.S. and Iranian delegations departed from Pakistan. Vance noted he had communicated with Trump multiple times during the talks, which occurred during a 14-day ceasefire that the U.S., Israel, and Iran had agreed upon on April 7 and 8.
“We need a clear commitment that Iran will not pursue a nuclear weapon or the means to rapidly develop one,” Vance explained, highlighting the primary objective of the U.S. in these discussions.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and head of their negotiating team, criticized the U.S. for failing to gain the trust of the Iranian representatives and claimed they had proposed “constructive initiatives.” The Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency indicated that “excessive” American demands had obstructed the negotiation process, and the foreign ministry asserted that more time was necessary for a resolution.
Pakistani mediators urged both the U.S. and Iran to refrain from escalating hostilities and expressed their intention to facilitate another round of talks. “It is crucial that both parties maintain their commitment to the ceasefire,” stated Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar.
Vance was accompanied by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner during the discussions, which took place at the Serena hotel in Islamabad. Ghalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were also present, along with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir.
In a show of mourning for the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others lost in the conflict, the Iranian delegation arrived dressed in black and brought along shoes and bags belonging to children who had died during a bombing incident near a school adjacent to a military compound.
A Pakistani source described the talks as unpredictable, noting varying emotional responses from both sides. “There were fluctuations in mood, and tensions shifted throughout the negotiations,” the source reported.
In a separate Fox News interview, Trump threatened to resume bombing Iran if an agreement could not be reached, specifically targeting the country’s water supply along with its bridges and power generation facilities. He stated, “The only thing left is their water, which would be very devastating to hit. I would hate to do it, but it’s their water, their desalinization plans, their electric generating plants, which are very easy to hit.”
When asked if gas and oil prices might decrease before the U.S. midterms in November, Trump remained non-committal, replying that prices “could be the same or maybe a little bit higher.”
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, at least 11 casualties were reported due to Israeli airstrikes, with over 30 strikes recorded in the region, according to the country’s state news service.
Pope Leo XIV, addressing the situation at the Vatican, called for a ceasefire during his Sunday prayers and expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran six weeks ago, has resulted in significant loss of life: at least 3,000 in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and numerous fatalities in Gulf Arab states, alongside extensive damage to infrastructure across multiple Middle Eastern nations.
