President Trump announced Sunday morning that the United States Navy would “begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all ships” attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically flows. The move comes after negotiations failed to produce agreement on what he described as the “only point that really mattered — nuclear.”

Trump, posting on Truth Social, called the decision a response to “world extortion,” accusing Tehran of threatening global shipping by suggesting the possible presence of naval mines in the strait.

Under the plan outlined by the president, U.S. forces will not only block transit but also actively interdict vessels in international waters that have paid “illegal tolls” to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage,” Trump wrote, signaling a willingness to expand enforcement well beyond the immediate vicinity of the strait.

The statement also included a direct warning of military retaliation, with Trump saying any Iranian action against U.S. or commercial vessels would be met with overwhelming force. He further indicated that U.S. forces would begin efforts to locate and destroy mines allegedly placed by Iran in the waterway, a task that would likely require sustained naval operations and carry significant risk of confrontation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)