Key Facts
• April 11, 2026: Two U.S. missile destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
• April 12, 2026: President Trump posted on social media about initiating a blockade process.
• The blockade targets all ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.
• Trump stated other countries will participate in the blockade.
• Legal basis and specific details of the blockade remain unclear.
• Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to stop ships paying Iran transit fees in international waters.
• Claimed that ships paying unauthorized fees cannot safely navigate international waters.
• Trump announced plans to destroy mines laid by Iran in the Strait.
• U.S. military plans to deploy underwater drones and additional forces for mine clearance.
• Iran denies U.S. claims of destroyers passing through the Strait.
• The announcement followed Vice President Pence’s 21-hour negotiations with Iran.
Summary
On April 12, 2026, President Donald Trump announced via social media that the U.S. Navy would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, targeting all vessels attempting to enter or exit the strategic waterway. This move follows unsuccessful negotiations led by Vice President Mike Pence with Iran, which has effectively controlled the Strait and imposed transit fees on ships. Trump emphasized that ships paying these fees would be intercepted and declared unsafe to navigate international waters. Additionally, he revealed plans to clear Iranian-laid mines using military assets including underwater drones. The U.S. military had already sent two missile destroyers through the Strait on April 11 to prepare for mine clearance operations. Iran has denied the U.S. claims regarding the passage of these vessels. The blockade’s legal justification and operational specifics remain undisclosed, but the announcement signals a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions over control of this vital maritime route.
