US President Donald Trump says the United States will begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran broke down, putting a fragile two-week ceasefire at risk.
Announcing the move, Trump said the US Navy would stop ships entering or leaving the strait and target vessels that had paid tolls to Iran, while also clearing mines he claimed Tehran had deployed.
“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 said.
He warned: “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
The escalation follows marathon talks in Islamabad, the first direct US-Iran negotiations in more than a decade, which failed to end six weeks of conflict that has killed thousands and shaken global markets.
US Vice President JD Vance said the lack of agreement was “bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.”
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf accused Washington of failing to build trust, saying the US must decide “whether they can earn our trust or not,” while Iranian media cited disagreements over nuclear demands and control of the strait.
Trump insisted Tehran had refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, stating: “IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!”
Despite the impasse, calls to maintain the ceasefire continued, with Pakistan urging restraint and Pope Leo calling for a lasting truce.
Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, highlighting the risk of broader regional escalation.
Source: Cyprus Mail.
