Trump Announces Immediate US Naval Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Islamabad Talks Fail; Forces 'Locked and Loaded'

Hours after Islamabad talks collapsed, President Trump posted on Truth Social announcing an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: '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 added: 'Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so.' He said US forces were fully 'LOCKED AND LOADED' and prepared to 'finish up the little that is left of Iran,' warning that 'No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.' The announcement followed Iran's attempts to charge ships transit fees — a move Trump characterized as Iran trying to 'cement its grip' on the waterway. The Strait carries approximately 20–21% of the world's daily oil supply and 25% of global LNG. Bloomberg reported the blockade announcement sent oil markets sharply higher, with Brent crude spiking on the news. The ceasefire declared April 7 was left in a deeply uncertain state; Trump's Truth Social posts did not explicitly cancel the ceasefire but announced offensive naval operations that would fundamentally change the operational environment. CBS News reported the blockade would intercept any vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.