US President Donald Trump announced an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, ordering the US Navy to intercept all ships attempting to enter or leave the waterway. The move came after Iran refused to abandon its nuclear program during marathon negotiations.
As Hvylya reports, Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social on April 12.
According to Trump, talks with Iran took place in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US side was represented by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Iran sent Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi, and Ali Bagheri.
The meeting started early in the morning and ran close to 20 hours. Most points were agreed upon, and Trump himself acknowledged the terms were "in many ways better than us continuing our Military Operations to conclusion." But the central issue remained unresolved.
"Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions!" Trump wrote, adding: "As I have always said, right from the beginning, and many years ago - Iran will never have a nuclear weapon!"
In response, Trump ordered the US Navy to blockade all vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz. He also instructed the Navy to intercept any ship in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran, declaring that no one paying an illegal toll would have safe passage on the high seas.
Trump said the US would begin destroying mines that Iran allegedly laid in the strait. "Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown to hell!" he warned.
The president accused Iran of "world extortion," saying Tehran had promised to open the strait but effectively kept it shut by claiming mines might still be in the water. Trump called the tactic a way to paralyze shipping without taking direct responsibility.
Trump also claimed Iran's navy, air force, anti-aircraft systems, and radar have all been destroyed, and that Khomeini and most Iranian leaders are dead. He said the US military is "locked and loaded" and ready to "finish up the little that is left of Iran."
Other countries will join the blockade, Trump said, without specifying which ones.