After 21-hour talks collapsed, the US moves to choke Iran’s oil trade, with Trump signalling tougher action and little interest in restarting negotiations.
US President Donald Trump (Photo: X/@WhiteHouse)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) doubled down on Washington’s hardline approach towards Iran, calling the country “very desperate” and confirming that a US-led blockade aimed at cutting off its oil exports will take effect at 10 am on Monday.
The announcement follows a 21-hour round of talks in Islamabad that ended without agreement, leaving both sides entrenched even as a ceasefire in the region continues to hold for now.
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Speaking to reporters, Trump made it clear that the United States would proceed regardless of diplomatic uncertainty. “The blockade will go into effect tomorrow at 10 am,” he said, adding that “there are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil.”
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The blockade is aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to sell oil, a key source of revenue that Washington believes funds its nuclear ambitions.
Trump said other countries were cooperating with the move. “Other nations are working so that Iran cannot sell oil,” he said, without naming them.
He also pointed to attempts to bypass traditional shipping lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz. “They are not going through the Hormuz Strait. And ultimately, that will be corrected,” he said.
In a Truth Social post, Trump confirmed that the US Navy would begin intercepting vessels. “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 dismissed the possibility of renewed negotiations with Tehran after the Islamabad talks ended in a stalemate.
“I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back I’m fine,” he said.
He also accused Iran of not honouring commitments linked to a ceasefire arrangement, especially regarding access through the Strait of Hormuz. “Their promise was that they were going to open the Strait of Hormuz. They didn’t do it. They lied,” he said.
Reiterating Washington’s position, Trump added, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
In a separate interview, Trump claimed Iran’s military capability had been significantly degraded and said Tehran had “no cards” left in negotiations.
“They have no cards… Their Navy is gone. Their Air Force is gone. Totally gone. They have nothing,” he said.
He asserted that Iran’s missile stockpiles and manufacturing capacity had been “largely depleted” after US military operations. “We’ve destroyed most of those weapons,” he said.
Referring to Iran’s past rhetoric, Trump added, “For years, I’ve had to listen to them say, death to America… death to Israel.”
Projecting confidence in the US position, he said, “I told my people I want everything. I don’t want 90 per cent. I don’t want 95 per cent. I told them I want everything.”
Trump also used the interaction to criticise NATO, expressing dissatisfaction with the alliance.
“I’m very disappointed in NATO, they weren’t there for us. We pay trillions of dollars for NATO and they weren’t there for us,” he said.
He declined to respond to questions on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and ended the exchange shortly after.
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