Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to order the U.S. Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz if Iran attempts to impose a toll on shipping passing through the critical waterway. The statement was made following the conclusion of indirect U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, which ended without a formal agreement on a ceasefire or other major diplomatic breakthroughs.
The talks, mediated by Pakistani officials, aimed to de-escalate regional tensions. While no details of a proposed toll were verified, Trump's response framed it as a potential act of piracy. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global chokepoint for oil shipments, with about 20% of the world's oil passing through it.
Analysts note that such a blockade would constitute an act of war and would have severe immediate repercussions for global energy markets and maritime security. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, regularly patrols the region. The current U.S. administration has not commented on the former president's statement.
