US President Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran following failed diplomatic talks.
Announcing the directive on Sunday, Trump said the United States Navy would immediately begin blocking vessels attempting to enter or exit the vital oil transit route. The move comes after Tehran reportedly refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions during high-level negotiations in Islamabad.
Despite describing the marathon talks as largely productive, Trump said Iran’s stance on its nuclear programme remained a major sticking point. He warned of severe consequences for any hostile action against US forces or commercial shipping.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, departed Pakistan without securing a deal after meeting with Iranian officials led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The engagement marked the highest-level contact between both nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s team also included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Vance said the US had presented what he described as its “final and best offer,” adding that Washington would wait to see if Tehran accepts the proposal.
In a series of statements, Trump accused Iran of failing to follow through on assurances to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, alleging that the country may have deployed naval mines in the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, with roughly a fifth of global crude shipments passing through it. The situation has been further complicated by weeks of disruption following a sustained US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iranian targets.
On Saturday, the US military confirmed that two of its warships had successfully navigated the strait as part of ongoing mine-clearing operations, signaling increased military presence in the region.
The latest development raises concerns over global energy supply and regional stability, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify.
