Washington, April 12: President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to enforce a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The President announced the measure on Sunday, asserting that the United States will no longer tolerate Iran’s attempts to disrupt international shipping or use its nuclear programme as leverage in negotiations.
The announcement marks a major shift in Washington’s strategy after recent peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a resolution. Trump declared that the U.S. will interdict all maritime traffic in the corridor to prevent Iran from collecting “illegal tolls” from passing ships. He stated that leaders of the United States would never be extorted and maintained that the Navy is the “finest in the world” and ready to secure the passage.
Security analysts noted that the closure of the waterway, a vital artery for the global oil trade, is likely to cause immediate economic ripples. Despite the potential for volatility, Trump asserted that the military is prepared to escalate further if Tehran attempts to interfere. “At an appropriate moment, our military will finish up the little that is left of Iran,” the President declared, while also suggesting that mine-clearing operations would soon commence.
While the President noted that the ultimate goal is a return to free passage for all, he stated that the responsibility for the current standoff lies entirely with Iran. He affirmed that the blockade would remain in place until Tehran demonstrates an affirmative commitment to ending its nuclear weapons pursuit. International reactions are expected as dozens of foreign vessels, including several from India, find themselves caught in the middle of the intensifying naval confrontation.
