Trump orders naval blockade: US to block maritime traffic to Iranian ports as peace talks collapse in Islamabad
Trump orders naval blockade: The US Central Command has said it will start blocking ships at Iranian ports from April 13 at 10 a.m. ET. The blockade will apply equally to ships from all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said its forces will control all sea traffic going in and out of Iranian ports, following the president’s order. However, it clarified that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to move freely. Commercial ships have been told to follow official maritime notices and stay in contact with US naval forces while operating in the area.
US President Donald Trump also said the US would soon start stopping certain ships in the Strait of Hormuz, especially those paying what he called “illegal tolls.” The US military later confirmed that the blockade would begin on Monday evening (7:30 p.m. IST).
This move may be aimed at ships reportedly using the Chinese yuan instead of the US dollar, which could weaken the petrodollar system and help bypass US sanctions.
Overall, the decision shows that the US is taking a tougher stand against both China and Iran, highlighting growing tensions between them.
Iran reacted quickly, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that any foreign military presence near the Strait would be seen as breaking the already fragile ceasefire.
Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf rejected Donald Trump’s threats, saying Iran will not give in to pressure. He said if the US chooses conflict, Iran will respond the same way, but if talks are based on logic, Iran is open to that. He also warned that the US move could raise fuel prices worldwide, including in America, and even shared an image of petrol prices near the White House, saying people there may soon find them much higher.
The blockade announcement came after 21 hours of talks in Islamabad failed. These were the first direct discussions between the US and Iran in over a decade and the highest-level talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi blamed the US for the failure, accusing it of making extreme demands and changing its stance when both sides were close to an agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American side, admitted the talks failed but said it would hurt Iran more than the United States.
- With inputs from agencies
