The United States President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the U.S. Navy to move in and block the strategic Strait of Hormuz after nuclear negotiations with Iran collapsed without agreement.
The directive follows rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme, with Trump accusing Tehran of refusing to abandon its ambitions. He stated that Iran should not be allowed to benefit from control of the vital Gulf shipping route, through which a significant share of global oil and gas supplies passes.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it maintains full control of the waterway and would respond decisively to any hostile action, describing potential confrontations as a “deadly vortex” for enemy forces.
Trump, posting on social media, said the U.S. Navy would “block any and all ships” entering or leaving the strait, while also claiming efforts would be made to clear naval mines and secure free passage in the long term. He further warned that vessels allegedly cooperating with Iran’s restrictions would be intercepted in international waters.
In a subsequent interview, he intensified his rhetoric, threatening additional economic sanctions on countries supporting Iran militarily and asserting that the U.S. could swiftly disable Iran’s energy infrastructure if necessary.
The escalation comes after failed peace talks involving U.S. and Iranian officials, which were aimed at ending ongoing regional hostilities. The breakdown has raised fears of further instability in the Gulf, a critical hub for global energy transportation.
