Can Trump Really Block The Strait Of Hormuz?

Few hours after the truce talks between USA and Iran in the high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan failed to reach an mutual agreement, President Donald Trump has made a big statement on the Strait of Hormuz, which is playing a crucial role after the start of war last month. 

Just a while ago, Trump announced that the American Navy with immediate effect will block any and all ships entering the Strait of Hormuz and would also ⁠interdict ⁠every vessel ⁠in ‌international waters that ‌had paid a ‌toll to Iran. 

In a long post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Iran 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. They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their “mine droppers,” have been completely blown up.”

Trump acknowledged that the meeting headed by JD Vance from US side with Iran went on well and most of the demands were agreed to except for the assurance on the Nuclear program, which matters the most. He further strongly objected that Iran cannot stop some ships to go through the Hormuz and block others like USA and called this as World Extortion. 

Trump also claimed that other countries could join the blockade effort, though he didn’t specifically name who other will join this exercise. He also threatened that US will begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits. 

These shocking statements from Trump come amid raising concerns over the crucial waterway through which one fifth of the oil and natural gas global supplies pass through.

Many countries including USA and its allies are facing the consequences due to the restrictions imposed by Iran on Hormuz. The prices of fuel and LPG gas are already soaring and any further choking would only make it worse for the people across the globe. 

While Trump’s claim that the US Naval force is one of the finest in the world is true to some extent, but there is no way that Iran forces will remain silent if at all the USA starts blocking the Hormuz which turned out to be a diplomatic tool in the entire conflict between the two sides. 

When Trump announced a two week ceasefire, Iran reportedly started charging toll from vessels passing through the Strait to tighten its grip further on the passage. But, Trump appeared to have decided to hit the finances of Iran after the failed talks and immediately resumed his belligerent stance. 

How Iran reacts over this statement and the aftermath results might decide the fate of the war. But, the real question now is can the US navy really block the Strait of Hormuz as announced by Trump or not.