In a dramatic escalation with far-reaching global implications, US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that Washington will move to block all ships entering or leaving the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, citing Iran’s alleged attempts at “extortion” and maritime disruption.Declaring that the move would take effect “immediately”, Trump said the US Navy would begin enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade, marking one of the most aggressive steps taken by Washington in the ongoing confrontation with Tehran.“So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. 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 posted on Truth Social.The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow choke point through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, is considered one of the most critical arteries of global energy trade. Any disruption is likely to send shockwaves across international markets and heighten geopolitical tensions across West Asia.Since the onset of the war on February 28, around 10 Indian-flagged vessels have already transited through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s permission. Still around 15 Indian ships are stranded near the strategic chokepoint.Trump accused Iran of using the threat of mines and transit disruption as leverage. “This is world extortion… and leaders of countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted,” he said.In a further escalation, the US President revealed that American forces had been instructed to interdict vessels suspected of paying transit “tolls” to Iran, calling such payments illegal. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he warned.He also indicated that US forces would begin mine-clearing operations in the Strait, signalling the possibility of direct naval engagement in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran against any military retaliation. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown to hell,” he said, underscoring the administration’s readiness to respond with force.While suggesting that the blockade could be lifted under certain conditions, Trump placed the onus squarely on Iran. “At some point, we will reach an ‘all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out’ basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen,” he said.The announcement comes amid already heightened tensions following the collapse of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, where both sides failed to reach agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme — the central issue driving the standoff.Trump reiterated that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained the core concern, linking the blockade directly to Washington’s broader strategic objective of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.He also claimed that other countries would participate in enforcing the blockade, hinting at the possibility of a broader coalition, though no specific partners were named.In a sharply worded assertion of military readiness, Trump said the United States was “locked and loaded” and prepared to escalate further if required. “At an appropriate moment, our military will finish up the little that is left of Iran,” he said.There was no immediate response from Tehran, but the move is expected to draw strong international reactions, given the legal, economic, and security ramifications of restricting passage through an international waterway.