Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump has ordered US forces to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of peace talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would “begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” escalating tensions after negotiations ended without agreement.
He added that the US Navy had been instructed to intercept vessels in international waters that had “paid a toll to Iran,” saying such ships would not be granted safe passage.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump wrote. He also said US forces would “begin destroying the mines” allegedly laid in the strategic waterway.
Warning of further escalation, Trump stated that “any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL,” adding that Iran “knows how to end this situation.”
In a second post, the US president said American forces were “fully locked and loaded,” claiming the military would “finish up the little that is left of Iran” if necessary. He reiterated that Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions had caused the breakdown of negotiations.
The comments came hours after US-Iran talks in Islamabad ended after 21 hours without a deal. The discussions reportedly focused on Iran’s nuclear program and regional maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
International reactions followed the collapse of talks, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging both sides to avoid further escalation. Speaking after discussions with the Sultan of Oman, Starmer said it was “vital” that all parties maintain the ceasefire and prevent renewed conflict.
Diplomatic efforts had been underway to maintain a fragile truce, but officials confirmed that no agreement was reached, with both sides blaming each other for the failure of negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical chokepoints in the world, with a significant share of global oil shipments passing through it.
