Trump imposes naval blockade on Iran after peace talks collapse

PRESIDENT Trump announced the U.S. is imposing a naval blockade on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz several hours after peace talks in Pakistan failed.

Why it matters: Iran has effectively held the strait hostage, imposing a toll and limiting oil exports. Trump's blockade aims to flip that dynamic by denying Iran the leverage it's using as a bargaining chip and preventing it from exporting its oil.

"We want to take this card from the Iranians," a senior U.S. official said.

What they're saying: "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 wrote on his Truth Social.

He added that he and the U.S. Navy will "seek and interdict" vessels that have paid a toll to Iran to pass through the strait.

"No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he stressed.

What to watch: Trump noted the blockade will begin "shortly" and added that during the blockade, U.S. forces will destroy the mines the Iranians laid in the strait. It is unclear where these mines are located.

He mentioned that other countries are also going to be involved in the blockade.

"Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their Country," he said.
Driving the news: The U.S. and Iran didn't reach an agreement during marathon negotiations on Saturday in Pakistan.

The deadlock in the talks puts the two-week ceasefire agreed last week in limbo, with the possibility of renewed and escalating warfare.

According to a source briefed on the talks, some of the disagreements had to do with Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz and refusal to give up on its enriched uranium stockpile.