SHIPPING traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has once again ground to halt after US President Donald Trump said the US would launch a naval blockade following the failure of negotiators to reach a deal with Iranian officials.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a social media post.
The Trump post also gave notice to all shipowners who have paid Iran a toll to transit the strait, indicating that vessels are now at risk of being seized by the US Navy.
“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. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!,” Trumps post explained.
Shipping flows through the strait had continued to operate, albeit at reduced levels on Sunday, prior to the blockade being announced. There had been a small uptick in tankers transiting the strait on Saturday as shipping companies prepared to risk the tentative ceasefire deal to exit some vessels from the Middle East Gulf.
In the wake of Trump's naval blockade announcement, however, all traffic appears to have halted and at least two vessel that had appeared to be heading to exit the strait have since turned around.
In a second Truth Social post 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,” he said.
“As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST!”
On Saturday, before Trump’s announcement, the US military began efforts to remove mines set by Iran in the strait.
According to the US Central Command, two US Navy warships passed through the Strait for the first time since the war began in late February as part of what it described as a mission to remove the mines.
