Iran War Day 44: Trump Orders Hormuz Blockade After Failed Talks

Efforts to secure a lasting end to hostilities between the United States and Iran have stalled after prolonged negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, casting doubt over a fragile ceasefire now entering its seventh week. The 21-hour talks concluded without agreement, with both sides accusing each other of responsibility for the impasse. The conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives, most of them in Iran, continues to send shockwaves through global energy markets.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, acknowledged the failure shortly before departing Pakistan. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement,” he said, adding that the outcome was “much more bad news for Iran” than for the United States. Despite the setback, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that mediation efforts would continue.

Tehran signaled that expectations had been deliberately modest. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that no one anticipated a deal in a single round of negotiations. On the ground, Iranian civilians expressed a mixture of skepticism and cautious hope after weeks of sustained air strikes that have left widespread destruction across the country. More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the war began.

From Washington’s perspective, officials maintained that they had negotiated “in good faith,” while presenting what they described as a final proposal. Vance revealed he had been in near-constant contact with President Donald Trump and senior members of the administration throughout the talks. Trump himself dismissed the importance of reaching a deal, arguing that the United States had already achieved its military objectives by eliminating Iranian leadership figures and damaging key infrastructure. “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me … because we’ve won,” he said.

At the same time, the US military confirmed preparations for a significant escalation at sea. Two destroyers were sent through the Strait of Hormuz ahead of planned mine-clearing operations, although Iranian state media disputed this account. Analysts noted that Washington’s position remains unchanged, particularly its insistence that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons.

Tensions are also spilling across the region. In Lebanon, Israeli forces continued strikes, including an attack on what was described as a ready-to-launch rocket system in the south. Protests have emerged in Beirut against the prospect of direct negotiations with Israel, even as diplomatic contacts are expected to take place later this week. According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over 6,000 injured since early March. Residents in southern areas report little change in daily conditions despite international pressure for de-escalation.

In northern Israel, a drone launched from Lebanon triggered air raid sirens in the Upper Galilee before being intercepted, underscoring the persistent volatility along the border.

A major development came with Washington’s announcement that it will impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning. The move follows the collapse of talks and is seen as a direct attempt to cut off Iran’s oil revenues. Tehran has warned it will respond forcefully to any such action, with senior figures insisting the United States would fail. “The United States… is doomed to fail in any naval blockade,” said Mohsen Rezaee, adding that Iran possesses “significant untapped capabilities.”

The economic consequences are already visible. Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel again, with Brent crude rising by 8 percent. The prospect of restricted shipping through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors has raised concerns about further disruption and sustained high fuel costs globally.

Diplomatic fallout is widening beyond the immediate conflict. Trump launched a sharp public attack on Pope Leo XIV, criticizing his stance on the war and calling him “terrible for foreign policy.” The pope had recently condemned US rhetoric toward Iran as “truly unacceptable,” highlighting growing divisions even among Western allies and partners.

International response to the blockade remains uncertain. Australia confirmed it has received no request to participate, while the United Kingdom signaled it would not be involved. Instead, London is working with France and others on alternative measures aimed at protecting freedom of navigation. Trump had earlier suggested that “other countries will be involved,” though no coalition has yet been clearly defined.

Amid the escalating rhetoric and military posturing, Trump insisted that a temporary two-week ceasefire remains intact. “I would say it’s holding well,” he stated, even as both sides prepare for potential confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered a sharply different account of the failed negotiations, describing them as the most intensive engagement between the two countries in nearly five decades. He said talks had come close to producing a memorandum of understanding before collapsing due to what he called US “maximalism” and “shifting goalposts.” Referring to the blockade threat, he concluded: “Zero lessons earned. Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”

Meanwhile, Trump confirmed that two US airmen shot down over Iran earlier this month have been rescued and are “in very good shape,” closing one chapter of the conflict even as broader tensions continue to escalate.