Washington/Dubai: The US military declared it will impose a blockade on all Iranian Gulf ports starting Monday at 7:30 pm IST, seizing control of vessels entering or exiting Iran but permitting non-Iranian ships to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, which channels one-fifth of global oil.
Trump’s Fiery Blockade Directive
“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 posted on Truth Social Sunday. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL.”
US Central Command detailed on X: “The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” while pledging “not [to] impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.” The statement tempered Trump’s prior social media warnings.
UK Stands Aside in Trump-Starmer Clash
The United Kingdom opted against joining the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, deepening friction between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Bloomberg reported. A British government statement Sunday backed “maintaini
ng open navigation and keeping the strait accessible” post-Trump’s announcement on the key energy route.
Strains intensified after Starmer blocked US forces from British bases for initial Iran strikes, eliciting Trump’s pointed criticisms.
Australia Demands Unfettered Strait Access
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanded the Strait of Hormuz stay open to all, noting the US made no request for Australian support. “We’ve received no requests, and they’ve made this announcement overnight and they’ve done that in a unilateral way. And we haven’t been asked to participate,” Albanese told Nine Network television Monday.
“What we want to see is negotiations continue and resume. We want to see an end to this conflict. We want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened for all. We want to see freedom of navigation as required by international law as well,” he added.
Trump Wavers On Iran Diplomacy Path
Trump expressed optimism in a Fox News interview Sunday, deeming Islamabad talks “very friendly” and forecasting Iran’s return. “I do believe they’re going to come to the table on this, because nobody can be so stupid as to say, ‘We want nuclear weapons,’ and they have no cards,” he said.
Yet Trump later told journalists en route from Florida: “If they don’t come back, I’m fine.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused the US of forfeiting trust despite Tehran’s “forward-looking initiatives.” “If the United States returns to the framework of international law, reaching an agreement is not far off,” he said, per Iranian state media.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf similarly blamed Washington.