ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy on Sunday to begin blocking the Strait of Hormuz after high-level talks with Iran in Islamabad failed to produce a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program, escalating tensions in the Gulf.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “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 added that Iran must open the waterway and warned: “THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION,” insisting vessels paying Iranian tolls would be intercepted and mines removed. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” he said.
Trumps remarks came hours after US Vice President JD Vance said that they failed to reach an agreement with Tehran following ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan, as he departed the capital after marathon talks.
“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America," Vance, head of the US delegation, told reporters before leaving Islamabad after 21 hours of negotiations.