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President Donald Trump said Iran\u2019s refusal to abandon its nuclear program has forced the United States into a more aggressive posture following marathon trilateral talks in Islamabad, including a planned naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/span><\/p>\n The comments, delivered in a pair of posts on <\/span>Truth Social<\/span><\/a>, come after more than 20 hours of negotiations involving U.S., Iranian, and Pakistani officials. Trump said the talks produced movement on several fronts but ultimately broke down over Tehran\u2019s nuclear ambitions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,\u201d Trump wrote, reiterating his long-standing position that the regime will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He doubled down on that position during a phone interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, explaining that he was standing firm on that particular point because \u201cI think they would use it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the easiest question you\u2019ve asked me so far. They can\u2019t have nuclear weapons,\u201d says @POTUS<\/a> on why Operation Epic Fury was critical.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they would use it.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/MYupnZKyr5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n According to Trump, he was briefed following the talks by Vice President JD Vance, along with senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He also praised Pakistan\u2019s leadership, specifically Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir, calling them \u201cvery extraordinary men\u201d and crediting them with helping facilitate the talks.<\/span><\/p>\n Trump said the negotiations stretched \u201cthroughout the night,\u201d and suggested that while some secondary issues saw progress, none of it mattered given Iran\u2019s position on nuclear development. He added that U.S. negotiators had developed a cordial working relationship with Iranian counterparts during the talks, but dismissed that as irrelevant to the outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy representatives became \u2026 very friendly and respectful \u2026 but that doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Trump wrote, emphasizing that Iran remained \u201cunyielding\u201d on the nuclear issue.<\/span><\/p>\n Trump also sharply criticized Iran\u2019s conduct in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the regime of reneging on commitments to keep the critical waterway open. He said even claims that mines \u201cmay\u201d be present were enough to paralyze global shipping markets, describing the situation as causing \u201canxiety, dislocation, and pain\u201d for countries dependent on the route.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey knowingly failed,\u201d Trump wrote. \u201cThere is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In response, Trump announced that the United States will move forward with a naval blockade.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEffective immediately, the United States Navy\u2026 will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n The administration also plans to interdict vessels suspected of paying what Trump described as illegal tolls to Iran, while deploying forces to locate and destroy any mines in the waterway. Trump said no vessel that cooperates with Iran\u2019s demands would be guaranteed safe passage.<\/span><\/p>\n He framed the move as both an economic and military response, warning that the United States is prepared to escalate further if necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are fully locked and loaded,\u201d Trump wrote, adding that any Iranian forces that engage U.S. ships or commercial vessels would be \u201cblown to hell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Trump reiterated, during an appearance by phone on \u201cSunday Morning Futures\u201d on Fox News, that Iran\u2019s military capabilities have already been significantly degraded, asserting that much of its naval and air power is \u201cgone.\u201d He warned that continued defiance on the nuclear issue would only worsen Tehran\u2019s position.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey came in like they had the cards, but they don\u2019t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated,\u201d Trump explained.<\/p>\n .@POTUS<\/a> on the Iranians: \u201cThey came in like they had the cards, but they don\u2019t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/6nonjAOnqx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The blockade, which Trump said will begin \u201cshortly\u201d and involve additional countries, marks a significant escalation following the Islamabad talks and underscores how little ground was gained on the core issue driving the conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n For all the latest Iran news, follow <\/span>The Daily Wire\u2019s live blog.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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