President Donald Trump has doubled down on his warning to Iran, saying any of its attack boats that come close to the U.S. naval blockade will be “immediately eliminated.”
The blockade, confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), officially took effect at 1400 GMT on Monday.
It applies to all ships heading to or leaving Iranian ports, marking a major escalation despite ongoing calls for restraint and renewed negotiations.
In a post on social media, Trump claimed much of Iran’s navy had already been destroyed during the conflict.
He warned that any remaining “fast attack” vessels attempting to challenge the blockade would be taken out without hesitation.
He also noted that 34 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday the highest number since the war began though that figure hasn’t been independently verified.
The move comes after peace talks in Pakistan, led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, ended without a breakthrough.
Although both sides had agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations, mediators like Shehbaz Sharif and officials in Qatar are still urging both sides to stick to the truce and keep diplomatic efforts alive.
Trump, however, suggested there may still be a path forward, telling reporters that Iranian officials have reached out and appear eager to strike a deal though he didn’t specify who made contact.
On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States for the collapse of the talks, accusing Washington of making excessive demands.
As tensions rise, concerns are also growing over freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz a vital global shipping route.
Leaders including Emmanuel Macron have proposed a defensive international effort to help secure the waterway, while China has warned that keeping the route open is in the global interest.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has highlighted the human cost of the crisis, noting that around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the region as the situation continues to unfold.
Iran has strongly rejected the blockade, calling it an act of “piracy” and warning that if its ports are threatened, no port in the wider region would be safe a statement that underscores just how fragile the situation has become.
