President Trump warned that Iranian “fast attack ships” will be destroyed if any vessels attempt to approach the U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which commenced following failed peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing the U.S. military operation that took place along the Caribbean prior to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s capture.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that “more than 15 U.S. warships are in place to support the operation,” based on an account from a senior official.
NATO Responds to Blockade
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, including Britain and France, responded to the blockade, affirming that they would not be compelled to participate in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran by participating in the blockade. Allies have instead suggested that they are working on an initiative to open the maritime checkpoint, according to Reuters.
"We're not supporting the blockade," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). "My decision has been very clearly that whatever the pressure, and there's been some considerable pressure, we're not getting dragged into the war.”
U.S. Proposed a Uranium Enrichment Compromise During Talks
According to recent reports amid the blockade, a U.S. official and a source familiar with the negotiations in Pakistan told Axios that the U.S. proposed to the Islamic Republic that it accept a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment.
Prior to the blockade, Vice President JD Vance said he had shown “flexibility” with Tehran, but they ultimately rejected his nuclear proposal to end the conflict.
The revelation of VP Vance’s compromise came after previous demands from the U.S. that Iran must permanently give up the right to enrich uranium domestically, instead having to rely on imports of the material.
