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By Lawrence Agbo
Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions with Iran after nuclear peace talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed without agreement.
In a statement posted on social media Sunday, Trump said the blockade would target all ships entering or leaving the strategic Gulf waterway, accusing Iran of using the strait for “world extortion” by restricting maritime traffic and allegedly charging tolls.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, carrying major global supplies of oil, gas, and fertiliser from the Gulf to international markets.
“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. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Trump said the US operation would also include intercepting vessels in international waters that have paid tolls to Iran and clearing mines allegedly laid by Tehran in the channel.
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“THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION,” Trump said. “I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits.”
Iran responded with a warning from its Revolutionary Guards, declaring that it maintains full control over traffic in the strait and threatening to trap any hostile force in what it described as a “deadly vortex” if challenged.
The move follows failed negotiations in Islamabad between senior US and Iranian officials aimed at ending the six-week conflict that began after joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
According to reports, the talks broke down over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme, which Tehran says is for peaceful civilian purposes but Western powers suspect is linked to weapons development.
Trump reiterated his longstanding position that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and warned that additional countries may join the US-led blockade effort.
The escalation has raised fears of renewed military confrontation in the Gulf, with concerns mounting over disruptions to global energy supplies and rising shipping risks in the region.
