President Donald Trump announced on April 12 that the US Navy will begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a move that follows the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad.
The order, issued on social media, directs US naval forces to stop any ship attempting to enter or leave the strait. Trump said the blockade takes effect immediately. He also instructed the Navy to intercept any vessel in international waters that has paid a transit toll to Iran.
The announcement came after more than 21 hours of direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan ended without a deal. Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation, said the talks broke down over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear program. Trump said most points were agreed upon during the meetings, but the nuclear issue remained unresolved.
The White House spelled out conditions that US officials said Iran refused to accept. These include ending all uranium enrichment, dismantling major nuclear facilities, and fully opening the Strait of Hormuz without charging tolls. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said disagreements over nuclear policy, sanctions, and control of the strait led to the impasse. Tehran has maintained its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded with a warning to US forces. In a statement, the Guards said any miscalculated move would trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the strait. The Guards also said Iranian security forces have the waterway under full control.
Trump’s order escalates a confrontation that began when Iran blocked the strait on Feb. 28. The strait is a critical shipping lane through which about 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war. Iran has allowed some commercial ships to pass in recent weeks if they paid a toll, a practice Trump called world extortion.
The blockade creates new risks for global energy markets. Oil prices have already risen sharply since the strait was closed. A US naval blockade could further restrict supply and push prices higher. Shipping expert Lars Jensen told the BBC that the blockade would affect only a small number of vessels still navigating the waterway, and most shipping companies would continue to wait for a tentative peace agreement.
The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is now uncertain. Trump said the US was ready to finish up Iran at the appropriate moment, while Iranian officials accused the US of making unreasonable and excessive demands.
Pakistan, which mediated the talks, urged both sides to uphold the ceasefire. But with the strait effectively closed and both sides accusing each other of bad faith, diplomatic efforts remain stalled.