'LOCKED AND LOADED': Trump Announces 'BLOCKADING' Of Strait Of Hormuz Hours After Peace Talks Fail

Tehran: US President Donald Trump launched into a fresh rhetoric on Sunday and announced the ‘blockading’ of the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after peace talks failed in Islamabad. He claimed that the ‘blockading’ will be effective immediately and will be carried out by the United States Navy, which he called the “finest in the world”.

According to Trump, truce talks in Pakistan over the war between Iran and US-Israel “went well”, but negotiators could not agree on a crucial point- Iran's nuclear plan. Expressing his anger in all-caps, Trump wrote on social media, “IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!” 

He added, “They were very unyielding as to the single most important issue and, as I have always said, right from the beginning, and many years ago, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”

'Iran Promised To Open Hormuz'

Furious at Iran's disagreement with his demand to scrap its nuclear programme, Trump stated that the US Navy will begin the process of “BLOCKADING” any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz immediately. He claimed that other countries will be involved with this blockade.

Trump also lamented that Iran had promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they “knowingly failed to do so”. “This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World,” Trump added.

‘US Will Never Be Extorted’

In a post on Truth Social, the President added, “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, “There may be a mine out there somewhere,” that nobody knows about but them. THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted."

There are reports that Iran is charging exorbitant transit fees from vessels to allow them to pass the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, who has always maintained that no toll should be charged to cross the crucial maritime waterway, said, “I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.”

‘Will Finish Up The Little That Is Left Of Iran’

Trump added that the US Navy will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the strait. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their Country. Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft and Radar are useless, Khomeini, and most of their “Leaders,” are dead, all because of their Nuclear ambition," Trump further said.

The President warned Iran, "The Blockade will begin shortly…Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully “LOCKED AND LOADED,” and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!”

In another post on his Truth Social account, Trump said, “As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST! Every Law in the book is being violated by them.”

Iran War

The United States of America and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran on February 28 in a massive military operation, codenamed ‘Operation Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Operation Roaring Lion’ by Israel.

Iran retaliated and launched attacks on US military bases located in different countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Iran codenamed its retaliation 'Operation True Promise IV'.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, “This operation against the positions of American-Zionist terrorists in the heart of the occupied territories and American terrorist bases began with massive explosions under the blessed code name 'Ya Hassan ibn Ali (peace be upon him)'.”

Earlier this month, US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. However, it wobbled over several disagreements, including the continuous attacks on Lebanon. Both sides met in Islamabad to negotiate their demands on Saturday. However, the talks failed as the bone of contention - Iran's nuclear programme - remained unresolved.

Also Read- US-Iran Ceasefire Day-5: Trump Says 'Will Finish Little That Is Left Of Iran', Warns To Block Ships In Hormuz