TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran said on Sunday that any military vessel attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the two-week ceasefire with the United States, warning that it would respond “strongly and decisively,” according to Al Arabiya.
The IRGC also described the Strait of Hormuz as being under the “intelligent control” of the Iranian navy, adding that the waterway is “open for the safe passage of non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations.”
The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s order on Sunday directing the U.S. Navy to block the Strait of Hormuz after expressing anger over Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions following inconclusive peace talks in Pakistan.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform, Trump said the ultimate goal was to clear the strait of mines and reopen it to all navigation, while rejecting what he described as Iran’s exploitation of the strategic waterway.
“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 said. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Iran has itself imposed restrictions on traffic through the strait, a key shipping route for oil, gas, and fertilizer exports from the Gulf to global markets. However, Tehran has reportedly allowed passage for ships it considers aligned with friendly countries such as China. There are also unconfirmed reports that Iran plans to introduce toll charges for transit.
“THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION,” Trump said. “I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits.”
The latest ultimatum came after failed negotiations in Islamabad between high-level U.S. and Iranian delegations aimed at reaching an agreement to end a six-week conflict. The war began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 3,000 Iranian citizens.
Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear program—insisting it is for civilian purposes while Western countries allege it is aimed at developing weapons—has frustrated U.S. negotiators, who were led by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
“I have always said, right from the beginning, and many years ago, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” Trump said.
“The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION.”
Vice President Vance left Pakistan following the talks — the highest-level engagement between the two sides since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution — saying Washington had delivered its “final and best offer.”
“We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” he said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who leads Tehran’s negotiation team, said Iran “put forward a constructive initiative, but ultimately, the other side failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations.”
The breakdown in talks has raised concerns that renewed fighting could drive global energy prices higher and further disrupt critical oil and gas shipments through the region.
Pakistan, which hosted the negotiations, said it would continue facilitating dialogue and urging both sides to respect the temporary ceasefire.
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