• Source:JND

In a big escalation of the West Asian conflict, United States President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the US would start blocking all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint, after the Islamabad negotiations with Iran collapsed. 

In a string of posts on Truth Social, the US President warned that US forces would immediately start a blockade on the narrow, volatile waterway, crucial for global oil and gas shipments.

Emphasising Iran's rejection to drop nuclear programme, Trump said, "So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. 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."

"At some point, we will reach an ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, here may be a mine out there somewhere,” that nobody knows about but them," he added.

ALSO READ: Last Warning! Two US Destroyers Cause Tense Standoff In Strait Of Hormuz; Civilian Vessel Captures Radio Exchange

Trump called Tehran's mine strategy in the Strait 'extortion', adding that the US will not accept it. "THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted," he said.

In a long post, he also said that he instructed the US Navy to "seek and interdict" every vessel that paid tolls to Iran to transit Hormuz. "No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," he wrote in his strong-worded post. 

The US President said that the forces will start destroying the mines and warned that "any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!"

ALSO READ: Naval Blockade, War Or More Talks? What Next After Islamabad Negotiations Between US And Iran Fail

Speaking about the start of the blockade, he said it will begin shortly. Issuing a threat to Iran, Trump said that they want money and nukes. Trump said, "Additionally, at an appropriate moment, we are fully LOCKED AND LOADED, and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!"


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