President Donald Trump has ordered a United States naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme during peace talks in Islamabad.
Trump said the negotiations in Pakistan were largely successful but broke down after Tehran declined to concede on its nuclear ambitions.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
The decision followed the collapse of high-level talks between the US and Iran, the most significant engagement between both countries since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan without reaching an agreement after weekend discussions with an Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also part of the delegation.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance told reporters.
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Trump also criticised Iran over its handling of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the country of failing to fulfil its promise to keep the route open.
“They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude passes, has remained largely inaccessible for weeks.
The disruption began after the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran more than six weeks ago.
On Saturday, the US military said two of its warships had passed through the strait as part of a mine clearance operation.
(AFP)