President Donald Trump said the interim peace deal with Iran is over and warned the U.S. may reimpose a naval blockade of Iranian ports [1].
This escalation threatens one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. A blockade in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global energy markets and increase the risk of direct military conflict between the two nations.
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., Trump said the agreement collapsed after continued Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces [1, 4]. He said the U.S. will use the blockade to pressure Tehran back to the negotiating table [1].
"The interim peace deal is over. We may have to re‑impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said [1].
The threat follows a period of heightened military activity in the region. The U.S. previously launched strikes on more than 80 Iranian military targets [5]. Trump said the blockade is a tool to protect American interests and allies if diplomacy fails [2].
"If Iran does not come to the table, we will re‑impose a blockade to protect our interests and our allies," Trump said [2].
Earlier this year, the president emphasized that the restrictions on Iranian ports would not be temporary. In April, he said the blockade will remain if no deal is reached [3]. The move signals a return to a policy of maximum pressure to curb Iranian regional influence, and military capabilities.
Trump said the current state of affairs is a result of both sides trading fire throughout the duration of the ceasefire [4]. The administration has not specified the exact date the blockade would begin, only that it remains a primary option for the U.S. military.
“"The interim peace deal is over."”
The collapse of the interim memorandum of understanding removes a primary diplomatic buffer between Washington and Tehran. By threatening a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. is leveraging a strategic economic vulnerability to force Iranian concessions. This move increases the likelihood of a maritime confrontation that could spike global oil prices and draw regional allies into a broader conflict.
