U.S. Navy blockades Strait of Hormuz: here’s why
President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for the Strait to be reopened and secured amid the ongoing war with Iran. So why is the United States now blockading the shipping corridor?
by Summer Lane | April 13, 2026
Just days after failed peace talks in Islamabad, spearheaded by Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, the United States has proceeded with blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
This comes after the president reacted to the failed peace talks, promising to send the United States Navy to the Strait.
“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,” the president announced on Sunday.
He continued, “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.”
With the president’s past pressure to get the Strait reopened, it may be puzzling to some as to why the U.S. Navy is now fortifying the closure with a blockade.
According to the U.S. Central Command, the “blockade” will be extended to all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, beginning Monday. Vessels merely transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports will not be impeded.
Why is the U.S. focused on interdicting just Iranian port-bound vessels? This is likely because Iran has been enforcing a limited closure on the Strait of Hormuz, benefiting nations that are not friendly to the United States.
Iran has reportedly been allowing vessels from selective nations to pass through the Strait undeterred – countries like Turkey, China, Pakistan, India, and Russia. Iran is also reportedly charging such vessels millions of dollars in exchange for passage in the Strait – hence why the president has accused Iran of extortion.
According to President Trump, the U.S. will also begin destroying dangerous mines deposited in the water of the Strait – placed there by Iran to deter traffic in the region.
“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!” the president said on Truth Social. “Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their Country.”
As reported by LindellTV, oil prices have skyrocketed past $100 per barrel following the president’s announcement of the blockade.
