President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Iran dramatically on Sunday, announcing that the United States Navy will begin a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz effective immediately, following the collapse of marathon peace talks in Islamabad.
In a strongly worded Truth Social post, Trump declared that while “most points were agreed to” during the nearly 20-hour negotiations, the single most critical issue — Iran’s nuclear ambitions — remained unresolved.
Trump’s Direct Announcement on Truth Social
Trump wrote:
“So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. 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.”
He accused Iran of world extortion by using the threat of mines in the waterway, despite its navy and mine-laying vessels having been largely destroyed in prior US operations. Trump warned:
- The US will interdict any vessels that paid illegal tolls to Iran.
- American forces will destroy Iranian-laid mines.
- Any Iranian who fires on US or peaceful vessels “will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Trump emphasized that Iran knows how to end the crisis but continues to prioritize nuclear weapons over the well-being of its own country, which has already lost much of its navy, air force, and leadership.
He added that the US is “fully LOCKED AND LOADED” and prepared to “finish up the little that is left of Iran” at an appropriate moment. Trump also indicated that other countries will participate in the blockade.
Background: Collapse of US-Iran Talks in Islamabad
The announcement follows the failure of high-level trilateral talks hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad. Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner led the US delegation in nearly 20 hours of negotiations with Iranian representatives, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi, and Ali Bagheri.