Trump says the US will start blocking ships going through the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US Navy will soon begin blocking ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical passage for global oil shipments. The move, shared via Truth Social, marks a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions and comes just days after the two nations held their first direct talks since 1979 in Islamabad.

Those talks, confirmed by Al Jazeera, centered heavily on control and security of the strait, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. While details remain sparse, sources suggest the US is using the threat of a blockade as leverage to push Iran into concessions on regional behavior and nuclear activities. The Washington Times reported that two US guided missile destroyers had already entered the strait earlier in the week, officially on a mission to demine the area and clear the way for commercial traffic.

Iran has responded with warnings, urging the US to avoid actions that could destabilize the region. According to the Daily Caller, Iranian officials emphasized the need to "encourage the free flow of commerce," a pointed message given the stakes. Analysts say a full blockade would be an act of economic warfare and could provoke retaliatory strikes against shipping or US allies in the Gulf.

Markets reacted quickly. Oil prices jumped more than 4% on Sunday as traders weighed the risk of supply disruption. The move also drew criticism from voices across the political spectrum. On his HBO show, Bill Maher, who initially backed the administration's tough stance on Iran, now says he hopes Trump "cuts and runs" before a full conflict erupts. "It didn't work," Maher said, referencing past US military engagements in the Middle East.

Legal experts are also raising concerns. A naval blockade without congressional authorization or a clear act of self-defense sits on shaky constitutional ground. Some lawmakers, though not yet speaking publicly, are said to be privately uneasy about the speed and unilateral nature of the decision.

For now, the Navy has not confirmed operational details, only that forces are "monitoring the situation closely." But with warships already in place and rhetoric intensifying, the window for diplomacy appears to be narrowing.

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint. Any disruption there doesn't just affect Iran or the US-it ripples through global energy markets, shipping lanes, and economies from Asia to Europe. How long the US intends to maintain a blockade, and what happens if Iran resists, are questions with no clear answers-only high stakes.