President Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social platform that the United States Navy will commence an immediate blockade of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while discussing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and military strategy during a Fox News Sunday interview with Maria Bartiromo.
In his Sunday Truth Social post, Trump announced that naval forces would start intercepting maritime traffic in the strategic waterway without delay. Trump wrote: “I have instructed our Navy to search for and prohibit any vessel in international waters that has paid a fee to Iran. No one who pays an illegal fee will have safe passage on the high seas.”
The president further declared: “We will also begin destroying the mines that the Iranians have placed in the strait. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown out of the water.”
This critical shipping lane has become a central battleground in the conflict with Iran, as approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments travel through the waterway. Disruptions in this area have contributed significantly to rising fuel costs.
During his discussion with Bartiromo about war concerns and energy prices before upcoming midterm elections, Trump emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program remains the primary concern.
Trump declared during the interview: “We didn’t get there on the important issue. They want to have nuclear weapons. They’re not going to have nuclear weapons. I’ve been saying that for 30 years. I would never allow that to happen before I was in politics. And that country will not have nuclear weapons. Most countries shouldn’t be allowed to have, but that country will not have nuclear weapons.”
The president also emphasized American military capabilities, stating: “So we have the greatest military equipment. We have the greatest people. We have the strongest military in the world by far, and everybody sees it, whether it’s Venezuela or what we’ve done with Iran.”
Trump continued: “And when I read, you know, the fake news talking about how well Iran’s doing, they’re not doing well at all. They’re getting killed. I could take out Iran in one day.”
When questioned about a controversial social media message posted before ceasefire discussions that stated “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump defended his approach. “When I talk about a civilization, it really has changed, it really has. But think of it, they’re allowed to say, death to America, death to this, death to… And I make one statement, they say, oh, such a big deal.”
Trump claimed his strong rhetoric achieved diplomatic results: “Let me tell you, that statement got them to the bargaining table, and they haven’t left. They haven’t left the bargaining table. I predict they come back and they give us everything we want.”
The president concluded: “And I told my people, I want everything. I don’t want 90 percent. I don’t want 95 percent. I told them, I want everything.”
These developments follow unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad, with Pakistani mediation, which concluded after 21 hours without reaching any agreement.
