The United States President said on Monday that the US military has commenced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical checkpoint for global oil shipments, in an attempt to economically compel Tehran to accept a deal and open the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran has responded with very strong threats, vowing retaliation on all ports in the Gulf of Oman and all U.S.-allied countries if its maritime access is cut off.
According to President Trump, ”we can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they are doing,” he said at the White House.
Further, the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency has, however, stated that the blockade restricted ”the entirety of the Iranian coastline, ports and energy infrastructure.” At least two tankers approaching the Strait on Monday turned around soon after the U.S. blockade began, vessel tracker MaritimeTraffic said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has accused Iran of ”economic terrorism” by evidently closing the Strait of Hormuz, while defending the US’ blockade of Iranian ports as an equal response.
”Well, as the president of the United States showed, two can play at that game,” he said. ”If the Iranians are going to try to engage in economic terrorism, we’re going to abide by the simple principle that no Iranian ships are getting out, either.”
Regarding the deal to formally end the war, Vice President JD Vance said it is up to Iran whether there are more direct talks with the US.
”It’s a question that would be best put to the Iranians because the ball really is in their court. We must have their conclusive commitment not to develop a nuclear weapon. And I think that if the Iranians are willing to meet us there, then this can be a very, very good deal for both countries. If they’re not willing to meet us there, that’s up to them,” he said.
In the midst of these escalating tensions, Pakistan is reportedly offering to host the next round of talks in Islamabad. ”Negotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Islamabad later this week, according to sources on Tuesday, with no firm date set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open”, a senior Iranian source stated.
Further, a senior Pakistani government official stated thus; ”We have reached out to Iran, and we got a positive response that they will be open to a second round of talks.”
Nonetheless, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling on ”all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as the US military’s blockade of Iranian Maritime traffic remains in force. In addition, China’s foreign ministry has condemned the US blockade of Iranian ports as ”dangerous and irresponsible”. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned on Tuesday that the blockade would further raise tensions in the region while dismissing reports of China sending weapons to Iran, insisting the allegation was ”completely fabricated.”
As both parties continue to respect the fragile truce, it is very instructive to state that all hands must be on deck in ensuring that diplomatic efforts to revive and sustain US-Iran talks must continue before their differences cascade into another full-fledged warfare.
