President Donald J Trump has ordered the United States Navy to begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz with immediate effect, following the failure of high-level talks with Iran in Islamabad aimed at resolving the crisis over Iranian nuclear ambitions and the closure of the vital international waterway.
In two statements posted on Truth Social within minutes of each other on Sunday morning (US time), Trump said the negotiations, which lasted nearly 20 hours and involved senior US and Iranian officials, had made progress on several points but collapsed over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme.
“I could go into great detail, and talk about much that has been gotten but, there is only one thing that matters — IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!” President Trump wrote in the post.
He stressed that while other aspects of the agreement were “better than us continuing our Military Operations to conclusion”, the nuclear issue was non-negotiable. “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” he added.
The talks were hosted by Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Mr Trump said he had been fully debriefed by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. He praised the Pakistani leaders for their “kind and very competent leadership” and thanked them for their role in averting a previous conflict with India that he claimed would have cost 30 to 50 million lives.
“Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so,” Donald Trump wrote, saying the move had caused “anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and countries throughout the world”. On mines laid by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, he wrote, “They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their “mine droppers,” have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance? There is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran, and what’s left of their “Leaders,” but we are beyond all of that.”
He demanded that Iran begin the process of opening the international waterway fast, saying every Law in the book is being violated by them.
In response to the failed talks, Trump announced a series of immediate military measures. The US Navy would begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels that had paid an “illegal toll” to Iran in international waters would be interdicted. American forces would also destroy Iranian mines in the strait, and any Iranian personnel firing on US or peaceful vessels “will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
He wrote, “At some point, we will reach an “ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT” basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, “There may be a mine out there somewhere,” that nobody knows about but them.”
“This is world extortion,” Donald Trump stated, “and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted.” He warned that the Blockade will begin shortly and it would involve other countries, adding that Iran would not be allowed to profit from the situation. “They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear,” Trump said.
Mr Trump noted that Iran’s navy, air force, anti-aircraft systems and radar had already been largely destroyed, and many of its senior figures killed as a result of its nuclear pursuit. He urged Tehran to reopen the strait “fast” to end the crisis.
He added that US forces remained “fully LOCKED AND LOADED” and ready to “finish up the little that is left of Iran”.
