U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has prompted backlash from Iran, which has dubbed the approach of any military vessel to the shipping lane a breach of ceasefire.
On Sunday, after peace talks between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad failed, the U.S. president announced the U.S. Navy would start blockading vessels entering or leaving the Strait over concerns of maritime security.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump thanked Pakistan for facilitating the dialogue, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military leadership for “extraordinary” hosting of the talks. Claiming agreement on most points, he said the collapse of the talks was linked to differences on the “only point that really mattered,” i.e. Iran’s nuclear program.
In light of the talks’ failure, he said, the U.S. Navy would begin enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. “The U.S. Navy will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote, adding vessels paying “tolls” to Iran would be intercepted and mines allegedly laid in the waterway would be cleared.
He further warned that any Iranian forces targeting U.S. or civilian vessels would face overwhelming military retaliation, and accused Tehran of using the Strait for “extortion” and destabilizing global trade routes. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their country,” he said.
Just hours later, U.S. Central Command announced it will begin implementing the blockade from Monday, adding “the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing” Iranian ports and coastal areas. “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation,” it wrote in a posting on X.
CENTCOM said the blockade would include all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” it said, adding commercial ships would be notified ahead of the blockade. It advised all vessels in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz to monitor maritime broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces if needed.
Iran’s response
Following the announcement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said any military vessels attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the two-week ceasefire with the U.S., warning they would be dealt with harshly and decisively.
“The strait is under the control and smart management of Iran’s Navy,” read a statement reported by Iranian state media. It said the Strait was “open for the safe passage of non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations.”
It further warned that enemies would be trapped in its “deadly vortex” in case of any miscalculation.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping lane off the coast of Iran that has been virtually blocked by Tehran since the United States and Israel started their joint bombardment on Feb. 28. Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) had been passing through the waterway in peacetime, and its blockage has resulted in a global fuel crisis.