US Military to Blockade Iranian Ports After Peace Talks Collapse

The U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad collapsed after 21 hours of negotiations.

President Trump declared the U.S. would blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

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CENTCOM announced the blockade would begin at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.

It would only apply to ships docking in Iranian ports, not those transiting the strait between non-Iranian ports.

Iran said the talks did not lead to an agreement.

CENTCOM said the blockade would be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.

Forces would not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

Al Jazeera

Trump said he had instructed the Navy to seek and interdict every vessel that had paid a toll to Iran.

The blockade announcement came after Iran had largely shut down the strait to commercial vessels.

The European Union urged further diplomatic efforts.

The blockade sent global oil prices soaring.

“The United States military has announced it will begin blockading all Iranian ports on Monday, its latest move to exert pressure on Tehran after marathon peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a deal”

Al Jazeera

The Strait of Hormuz normally sees roughly a fifth of the world’s oil traffic.

Marine trackers identified 10 supertankers and 1 Suezmax tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

Energy expert Michael Lynch estimated the blockade could boost oil prices $5 to $10.

The war had already taken roughly 10 million barrels per day out of supply.

Iran’s foreign minister said Iran had negotiated in good faith but encountered maximalism.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said any approaching military vessels would be dealt with severely.

Al-Jazeera Net

Security expert Andreas Krieg said Trump’s plan was unrealistic.

The blockade raised fears of renewed fighting.

The ceasefire was set to expire on April 22.