Trump Orders US Navy Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Peace Talks Collapse

Following failed negotiations in Islamabad, the US President announced a total maritime blockade and the seizure of vessels paying “illegal tolls” to Tehran. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied US President Donald Trump gestures upon arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, April 12, that the US Navy will begin blocking all vessels entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows the failure of marathon peace talks in Islamabad to address Iran’s nuclear program. Writing on Truth Social , Trump stated that while the 20-hour meeting between US and Iranian delegations was productive on some fronts, the “only issue that mattered” – Tehran’s nuclear ambitions –remained unresolved. “From this moment on, the United States Navy... will begin blocking any and all vessels attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump declared, labeling Iran’s claims of unlocated sea mines as “global blackmail.” Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The President also issued a major directive to the Navy to identify and detain any vessel in international waters that has paid transit fees to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal fee will have the right to safe passage on the high seas,” he warned. Additionally, US forces have been instructed to begin destroying the sea mines deployed by Iran in the strategic waterway. The diplomatic impasse in Islamabad occurred despite 21 hours of discussions mediated by Pakistan . US Vice President JD Vance, who characterized the outcome as “much worse news for Iran,” noted that the US had left a “final and best offer” on the table. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei acknowledged “differences of opinion” on key issues , including uranium enrichment and maritime control, but maintained that “diplomacy never ends.” Other Topics of Interest Canada Prime Minister Carney Signals Shift Away From US Defense Reliance Mark Carney vowed to end the era of Ottawa sending 70 cents of every military dollar to the US, pushing for strategic autonomy amid trade tensions and annexation threats. Trump, however, took a significantly more aggressive tone, threatening that the US military is “locked and loaded” to destroy what remains of Iran if the stalemate continues. He emphasized that the blockade would begin “shortly” and predicted that other nations would join the US-led effort. The collapse of the talks and the subsequent blockade order leave global energy markets in a state of high uncertainty as the current ceasefire approaches its April 22 expiration .  Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.