Updated on: April 12, 2026 / 9:41 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — President Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. Navy will begin blockading ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz and will intercept vessels that have paid tolls to Iran, after lengthy talks in Pakistan failed to produce a war-ending agreement.
In a Truth Social post, Mr. Trump said, “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.” He added that he had instructed the Navy to “seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” and that the U.S. would start “destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits.” He warned, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Analysts from Lloyd’s List Intelligence recently reported that at least two vessels transiting the strait paid Iran fees in Chinese yuan to guarantee safe passage. The analysts said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively imposed a “toll booth” regime in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring ships to submit documentation, obtain clearance codes and accept IRGC-escorted passage through a single corridor. Iran has suggested it could try to impose a toll on all ships transiting the waterway under a long-term peace deal.
Mr. Trump had previously urged Iran not to levy such tolls. His blockade announcement followed the end of face-to-face talks in Islamabad led by Vice President J.D. Vance, which the president said “went well” but failed to resolve the nuclear issue. Vance told reporters the Iranians “have chosen not to accept our terms” and that direct talks were over; the two sides had agreed to a two-week ceasefire five days earlier.
The president said the blockade “will begin shortly” and implied other countries would participate but did not name them. “They will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION,” he wrote, adding, “They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear,” and warned that U.S. forces were “fully ‘LOCKED AND LOADED,’ and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!”
Asked later on Fox News, Mr. Trump said, “The U.K. and a couple of other countries are sending mine sweepers.” However, a source familiar with the matter told CBS News that the United Kingdom will not be part of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
A U.K. government spokesperson said the country “continues to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home. The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling. We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”
A senior NATO military official told CBS News that the U.K. is leading planning efforts for a coalition of more than 40 nations, many from NATO, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and protect freedom of navigation. The official said members are discussing options and timing, including pre-positioning assets.
Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.