Hormuz blockade has begun, Trump says; claims Iran wants a deal

Donald Trump on Monday said a U.S.-led blockade targeting Iran has begun, adding that Tehran is seeking to negotiate even as tensions remain high.

“Right now we have a blockade,” Trump told reporters at the White House, asserting that Iran is “doing absolutely no business.” He added that “Iran wants to make a deal,” signalling potential room for negotiations.

Also Read: NATO allies refuse to join Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade


Trump said there was currently “no fighting” but stressed that the blockade would continue. “We’re going to keep it that way very easily,” he said.

The U.S. president, however, ruled out any agreement that would allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

“We will not come to any agreement that allows Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He also warned of consequences if a resolution is not reached by the end of the ceasefire period, saying any escalation “won’t be pleasant.”

Also Read: Iran threatens to retaliate against Gulf ports for US blockade

“There’s no fighting right now. We have a blockade,” Trump reiterated, underlining that while hostilities have paused, pressure on Tehran remains in place.

Trump said the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz came into effect at 10 a.m. Monday, stepping up pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing conflict.

“We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing,” he said, referring to Iran’s actions in the vital oil transit route.

Trump also argued that securing the strait was more critical for other regions than for the United States, even as the disruption has pushed up global oil prices, raising fuel costs and inflationary pressures.

“We don’t use this strait,” he said. “We have our own oil and gas, much more than we need.”

The blockade follows weeks of disruption in the passage, through which a significant share of global oil supplies typically flows, amplifying concerns in energy markets and among major import-dependent economies.