Strait of Hormuz blockade announced by Trump after Iran nuclear talks break down

US President Donald Trump said the US Navy would start an immediate blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. Trump made the announcement after peace talks with Tehran failed on nuclear weapons. Trump said the Navy would stop ships linked to payments made to Iran. The Strait is a narrow route for about a fifth of global oil.

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In a Truth Social post, Trump said the US Navy was ordered to act in international waters. Trump said the Navy would "seek and interdict\" vessels that paid what Trump called a toll. \"No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,\" Trump wrote. Trump also claimed other countries would join the effort.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and US Navy orders

Trump described the Strait of Hormuz as central to world energy transport. The Strait is used to move around one-fifth of global oil supplies. Iran’s hold over the route has limited Gulf oil and gas exports. The disruption has tightened access to global markets. It has also pushed energy prices higher, according to the post.

Trump linked the blockade order to the breakdown in talks over nuclear weapons. \"They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear.\" Trump also issued a military threat in the same message. \"Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully LOCKED AND LOADED, and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran,\" Trump said.

Peace talks with Tehran and nuclear weapons dispute

Trump said Vice President J D Vance briefed Trump on the talks. Trump also named Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump said the discussions were held with Iranian leaders in Islamabad. \"So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not,\" Trump said.

Trump said the US side met Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi, and Ali Bagheri. Trump said the US team became friendly and respectful towards Iran’s representatives. Trump said the Iranian side did not shift on the key issue. \"... but that doesnt matter because they were very unyielding as to the single most important issue and, as I have always said, right from the beginning, and many years ago, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,\" Trump said.

Islamabad talks and Pakistan role in talks

Trump credited Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for hosting. Trump said both leaders expressed thanks for averting a wider conflict. \"They are very extraordinary men, and continuously thank me for saving 30 to 50 million lives in what would have been a horrendous War with India. I always appreciate hearing that - The amount of Humanity spoken of is incomprehensible,\" Trump said.

Trump said several agreed points were preferable to extending the military campaign. Trump said those issues were secondary to the nuclear dispute. \"...but all of those points dont matter compared to allowing Nuclear Power to be in the hands of such volatile, difficult, unpredictable people,\" Trump said. Trump did not detail what those agreed points were.

Strait of Hormuz blockade amid US and Israel war

The blockade announcement came during a wider conflict involving the US and Israel. The war began on Feb 28, according to the account. It has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran and 2,020 in Lebanon. It has also killed 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states.

The same account said the fighting damaged infrastructure across the region. It said lasting damage occurred in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. The Strait’s disruption has reduced the Persian Gulf’s ability to export energy. Trump’s order, and Iran’s grip on the route, have added to concerns about oil flows.

With inputs from PTI