US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran amid stalled nuclear negotiations.
The decision came after high-level talks held in Islamabad of Pakistan failed to secure a breakthrough. Although Trump described the discussions as largely productive, he said Tehran remained firm in refusing to abandon its nuclear programme - a key sticking point in the negotiations.
In a strongly worded statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that the United States Navy would immediately begin blocking all vessels attempting to enter or exit the strategic waterway. He also issued a stern warning that any hostile action against US forces or civilian ships would be met with overwhelming military force.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of global crude oil shipments. The situation has already been tense for weeks following a US-Israel military campaign targeting Iran, which has significantly disrupted maritime traffic in the region.
The US delegation to the talks was led by Vice-President JD Vance, while Iran’s side included senior officials such as parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Despite extended discussions, both sides left without reaching an agreement.
Trump also accused Iran of failing to keep its promise to ensure safe passage through the strait, alleging that mines may have been deployed in the waters - further heightening fears among global shipping operators.
Meanwhile, the US military has already begun operations in the area, including mine-clearing efforts, signalling that the blockade could mark a significant escalation in an already volatile conflict.
.jpg "Obama 'Star Wars' center reflects former president’s vision, legacy")
