The United States military will begin a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz at 10 AM ET Monday morning, following the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan. President Trump announced the move Sunday on Truth Social after Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner spent more than 21 hours at the negotiating table only to watch Iran refuse to commit to abandoning its nuclear program. The sticking points were nuclear, plain and simple — and Trump walked away swinging.
CENTCOM confirmed the blockade applies specifically to vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, while leaving the strait open to all other international shipping. That’s a surgical move — the U.S. isn’t shutting down global energy markets, it’s cutting off Iran’s cash register. Iran has been running a shakedown operation since late February, charging ships up to $2 million per transit and letting friendly nations like China and India through while blocking everyone else. Trump called it “world extortion” and said anyone who paid that toll won’t have safe passage on the high seas going forward.
The Navy is also sweeping Iranian mines from the strait. U.S. destroyers entered the waterway for the first time Saturday to begin that process — Iran claimed it was a ceasefire violation. Trump says the UK is sending minesweepers too. Oil already topped $100 a barrel Sunday and jumped another 8% on the blockade news. Iran’s parliament speaker responded by posting a photo of D.C.-area gas prices and warning Americans to enjoy $4–$5 gas while it lasts. Iran’s IRGC says military vessels in the strait will be “dealt with severely.”
Trump was blunt on Fox News: “It’s going to be all or none.” He told reporters the U.S. got nearly everything it needed in Islamabad except the one thing that mattered — a nuclear commitment. Vance left the door open to more talks but set no timeline. Trump was less diplomatic, warning that U.S. forces remain “locked and loaded” and threatening Iran’s desalination plants, power grid, and bridges if things go sideways. Iran ran the clock on diplomacy. Now it’s dealing with the consequences at 10 AM Monday.
