America’s war with Iran, which began after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Feb. 28 alongside Israel, has entered its second month. Efforts to secure a peace deal have failed after officials from both countries arrived in Islamabad for talks mediated by Pakistan.
Prior to this attempt, Pakistan had successfully brokered a two-week peace deal between the two sides. However, after the latest negotiations collapsed, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to blockade Iranian ports and begin clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade took effect at 14:00 GMT on Monday, effectively sealing Iran’s coastline. A notice sent by U.S. Central Command to mariners, reviewed by the BBC, said the blockade would “encompass the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including but not limited to ports and oil terminals,” and applies to all vessel traffic regardless of flag.
The order came hours after ceasefire talks failed in Pakistan. Trump blamed Tehran directly, saying the deal fell through because Iran was “unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions.” Vice President JD Vance, who served as a negotiator, also cited that reason.
However, a U.S. official said the breakdown was more complex, pointing to disagreements over Iran’s control of the strait, its uranium enrichment program, its proxy networks and demands to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump did not reference those issues in public remarks and instead criticized Iran on social media. He said the U.S. would “seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” adding, “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.” He also warned, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Washington has positioned more than 15 warships in the region, including an aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers, an amphibious assault ship and helicopters capable of supporting boarding operations.
Retired Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, former head of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East, said the U.S. is likely to intercept vessels in the Arabian Sea, well outside the Persian Gulf, to reduce exposure to mines, drones and fast-attack boats.
While the blockade applies broadly, U.S. Central Command has carved out exceptions for humanitarian shipments such as food, medicine and essential goods, which remain subject to inspection. Neutral vessels already docked in Iranian ports were given a grace period to leave. The strategy is aimed at economic pressure. Before the conflict, roughly 130 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily, carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.
Iran had effectively restricted access to the strait for non-paying vessels, charging high fees for passage. Speaking at the White House, Trump said, “We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world. Iran is doing absolutely no business, and we’re going to keep it that way.” Retired Adm. John Miller said the economic impact could be significant, adding, “Without a source of income, it becomes very difficult for the regime to remain in power.”
Still, some experts remain unconvinced. Shipping analyst Lars Jensen told the BBC the move may have a limited impact, saying it would affect only a “very tiny trickle of vessels.”
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner also expressed skepticism in an interview with CNN, saying, “I don’t understand how blockading the strait would push Iran into reopening it.”
With the conflict now in its second month and both sides facing mounting losses, it remains unclear whether Washington’s latest move will alter Iran’s strategy.