Donald Trump announces a naval blockade of all ships trying to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz

“No one can sail safely in international waters if they pay an illegal toll.” Donald Trump announced on Sunday, April 12, an American naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s “intransigent” refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions during the negotiations in Islamabad. While stating that the talks in Pakistan had gone “well” and that “most points had been agreed upon”, the American president affirmed on his Truth Social platform that Tehran had refused to compromise on the nuclear issue.

“From now on, the U.S. Navy, the best in the world, will begin the process of blockading all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” wrote the White House tenant regarding the strategic maritime route through which 20% of the world’s crude oil transits, bordered by Iran and Oman. Despite the ceasefire, ships had only started to pass through the strait in dribs and drabs, and those that did were suspected of paying a toll to Iran.

“Any Iranian who shoots at us, or shoots at peaceful ships, will be obliterated!” threatened the American president in two lengthy messages, implying that “other countries” would be involved in the blockade effort, without naming them. After Donald Trump’s announcement, the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological armed forces of the Islamic Republic, threatened to act “severely” against any military ship passing through the strait.