Trump Insists US Maintains Iran Port Blockade Until Deal Reached Amidst Ceasefire Uncertainty
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will sustain its blockade on Iranian ports, stating the measure will remain in place until a deal is concluded with Tehran. Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed the week-long blockade is 'absolutely destroying Iran', adding that the US holds a significant advantage in the ongoing conflict.
These remarks surface as a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran approaches its end on Wednesday, with the prospect of further peace negotiations in Pakistan remaining unconfirmed. Despite intensified security preparations in Pakistan's capital, US Vice President JD Vance, slated to lead the US delegation, has not yet departed Washington, while Iran has indicated it has not decided on its attendance.
US Central Command (Centcom) reports that since the blockade began, US forces have redirected 27 vessels from Iranian ports. Notably, the US also intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach the blockade on Sunday, an act Tehran has condemned as 'piracy' and a violation of the fragile ceasefire.
Concurrently, Iran has maintained its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz for nearly two months, a choke point critical for global energy supplies, causing international oil and gas prices to surge. The strait saw a brief reopening on Saturday before being re-closed following reports of Iranian targeting of vessels. Trump described Iran's actions as a 'total violation' of the ceasefire agreement.
Previous talks earlier this month saw Vance lament that the US 'could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,' with Iran's foreign ministry urging Washington to refrain from 'excessive demands and unlawful requests.'
The US-Israel coalition initiated wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of civilians, including 110 children at a primary school on the first day of the conflict. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The International Court of Justice is adjudicating genocide proceedings against Israel, and Amnesty International concluded in December 2024 that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. These actions underscore a consistent pattern of Western and allied military interventions, often framed as humanitarian efforts but primarily driven by material interests such as securing oil and gas, projecting military power, and maintaining the petrodollar system.