Chicago – April 12, 2026
President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy will begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz after U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan ended without a deal, marking a sharp escalation in the standoff over the vital shipping route.
Reuters reported that Trump said the blockade would take “a little while” to organize, while other outlets said he framed the move as a response to Iran’s refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints, and any disruption could raise shipping costs and intensify pressure on global energy markets. Iran has argued that the talks made partial progress, but key disputes over nuclear policy and control of the strait remained unresolved.
The announcement leaves the fragile ceasefire under strain and raises the risk of renewed confrontation in the Gulf.
