Trump announces naval blockade on Iran after peace talks collapse

Source: Axios · Bias: Center Left

Summary

President Trump announced the U.S. is imposing a naval blockade on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, several hours after peace talks in Pakistan ended in failure.Why it matters: Iran has effectively held the strait hostage, imposing a toll and limiting oil exports. Trump's blockade aims to flip that dynamic by denying Iran the leverage it's using as a bargaining chip and preventing it from exporting its oil.Trump has been discussing the blockade option with his team for several days, as a contingency plan if the diplomatic talks fell through. "We want to take this card from the Iranians," a senior U.S. official said. What they're saying: "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 wrote on his Truth Social.He added that the U.S. Navy will "seek and interdict" vessels that have paid a toll to Iran in order to pass through the strait. "No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he stressed. Trump said Iran tried to "extort" the world by intimidating ship owners and saying it laid mines in the strait."Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so...as they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST!" he wrote.What to watch: Trump noted the blockade will begin "shortly" and added that during the blockade U.S. forces will destroy the mines the Iranians laid in the strait. It is unclear where these mines are located.He said other countries will also participate in the blockade. "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. Driving the news: The U.S. and Iran didn't reach an agreement during marathon negotiations on Saturday in Pakistan.The deadlock in the talks puts the two-week ceasefire reached last week in limbo, with the possibility of renewed and escalating warfare.According to a source briefed on the talks, some of the disagreements had to do with Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz and refusal to give up on its enriched uranium stockpile.Between the lines: Chinese, Indian and Pakistani ships have been among the few to transit the strait under deals with Tehran, meaning Trump's interdiction order could put the U.S. on a collision course with more countries depending on Iran for oil.U.S. warships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday for the first time since the war began, in a mine-clearing mission that Iran reportedly called a ceasefire violation.Behind the scenes: Trump said on Sunday he has been fully debriefed by the U.S. negotiations team: Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, on the details of the meeting in Islamabad.He claimed the meeting "went well" and that during the 21 hours of talks, U.S. negotiators "became...very friendly and respectful of Iran's Representatives." Trump also claimed that "most points were agreed to" but stressed there was no agreement on the nuclear issue, which he stressed was the "only point that really mattered."He claimed Iranian negotiators "were very unyielding" about the nuclear program. "IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!" Trump wrote. What's next: Trump stressed that Iran's continued nuclear aspiration are the reason U.S. military operations need to continue "to conclusion." "At an appropriate moment, we are fully "LOCKED AND LOADED," and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!" Trump wrote.Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.

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Trump announces naval blockade on Iran after peace talks collapse
Axios

Trump announces naval blockade on Iran after peace talks collapse

Center Left

President Trump announced the U.S. is imposing a naval blockade on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, several hours after peace talks in Pakistan ended in failure.Why it matters: Iran has effectively held the strait hostage, imposing a toll and limiting oil exports. Trump's blockade aims to flip that dynamic by denying Iran the leverage it's using as a bargaining chip and preventing it from exporting its oil.Trump has been discussing the blockade option with his team for several days, as a contingency plan if the diplomatic talks fell through. "We want to take this card from the Iranians," a senior U.S. official said. What they're saying: "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 wrote on his Truth Social.He added that the U.S. Navy will "seek and interdict" vessels that have paid a toll to Iran in order to pass through the strait. "No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he stressed. Trump said Iran tried to "extort" the world by intimidating ship owners and saying it laid mines in the strait."Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so...as they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST!" he wrote.What to watch: Trump noted the blockade will begin "shortly" and added that during the blockade U.S. forces will destroy the mines the Iranians laid in the strait. It is unclear where these mines are located.He said other countries will also participate in the blockade. "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. Driving the news: The U.S. and Iran didn't reach an agreement during marathon negotiations on Saturday in Pakistan.The deadlock in the talks puts the two-week ceasefire reached last week in limbo, with the possibility of renewed and escalating warfare.According to a source briefed on the talks, some of the disagreements had to do with Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz and refusal to give up on its enriched uranium stockpile.Between the lines: Chinese, Indian and Pakistani ships have been among the few to transit the strait under deals with Tehran, meaning Trump's interdiction order could put the U.S. on a collision course with more countries depending on Iran for oil.U.S. warships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday for the first time since the war began, in a mine-clearing mission that Iran reportedly called a ceasefire violation.Behind the scenes: Trump said on Sunday he has been fully debriefed by the U.S. negotiations team: Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, on the details of the meeting in Islamabad.He claimed the meeting "went well" and that during the 21 hours of talks, U.S. negotiators "became...very friendly and respectful of Iran's Representatives." Trump also claimed that "most points were agreed to" but stressed there was no agreement on the nuclear issue, which he stressed was the "only point that really mattered."He claimed Iranian negotiators "were very unyielding" about the nuclear program. "IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!" Trump wrote. What's next: Trump stressed that Iran's continued nuclear aspiration are the reason U.S. military operations need to continue "to conclusion." "At an appropriate moment, we are fully "LOCKED AND LOADED," and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!" Trump wrote.Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.

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