WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy began enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after high-level peace talks between the United States and Iran collapsed without agreement.
U.S. Central Command announced that the blockade, targeting vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, took effect at 10 a.m. Eastern time. The action followed the failure of nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the weekend.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he ordered the Navy to begin the blockade immediately after the talks ended. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne crude passing through it under normal conditions. Iran has restricted tanker traffic in the waterway since the outbreak of conflict with the U.S. and Israel in late February.
U.S. officials said the blockade aims to prevent vessels from paying tolls to Iran for passage and to support efforts to clear mines previously laid in the area. Earlier this week, two U.S. guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy, transited the strait as part of initial operations to establish a safe passage.
Iranian officials blamed the U.S. for the breakdown in talks. Iran’s Foreign Minister described American demands as “maximalist” and accused Washington of shifting its positions during the negotiations. Tehran has previously warned that it would respond to any unauthorized military activity in the strait.
The talks in Pakistan were intended to extend or solidify a fragile two-week ceasefire that took effect earlier this month. Both sides had accused the other of blocking progress on key issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.
U.S. Central Command stated that the blockade would be enforced impartially against all vessels using Iranian ports or coastal areas. Details on the number of U.S. ships involved or specific rules of engagement remain unclear.
Shipping activity in the region has already slowed, with many tankers avoiding the area ahead of the U.S. action. Oil prices rose in early trading on Monday.
No immediate incidents were reported in the strait as the blockade began. The Pentagon has not released further updates on operations.
The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran had been described by Trump as “holding well” prior to the collapse of the Islamabad talks.
