WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will continue its blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement is reached with Tehran, amid ongoing uncertainty over potential renewed peace talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the blockade, which began a week ago, is “absolutely destroying Iran” and claimed that the US is “winning by a lot.”
His remarks come as a temporary US–Iran ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday, with no confirmation yet on whether a second round of negotiations will take place in Pakistan, according to BBC.
Security has been tightened in the Pakistani capital ahead of a possible meeting, although US Vice President JD Vance—who is expected to lead the US delegation—has not yet departed Washington. Iran has also said it has not decided whether to attend.
According to US Central Command (Centcom), American forces have ordered 27 vessels to turn back or return to Iranian ports since the blockade began.
The US has also intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship for the first time in the ongoing conflict after it attempted to breach the blockade on Sunday. Centcom released footage showing warnings issued before troops boarded the vessel.
Iran has condemned the seizure as an “act of piracy” and a violation of the fragile ceasefire. In response, Tehran has maintained its own restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, for nearly two months—driving up international energy prices.
Although the route was briefly reopened on Saturday, it was quickly closed again after reports that vessels, including a tanker, had been targeted near the strait.
Trump further accused Iran of violating the ceasefire, saying it had “decided to fire bullets,” while Iran insisted it would keep the waterway closed until the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports.
(Inputs from BBC)
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