US to enforce maritime blockade on Iranian ports after failed Islamabad negotiation

US forces will begin enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, according to a statement released Sunday by US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The move has prompted an immediate response from Tehran, with Iranian naval commander Shahram Irani dismissing the plan as "ridiculous," while Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on all sides to respect ceasefire commitments and avoid further escalation.

The blockade follows a proclamation by US President Donald Trump and will be enforced "impartially" on vessels of all nations operating in Iranian ports and coastal waters, including those along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

CENTCOM said the operation would not interfere with freedom of navigation for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

Earlier, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the US Navy would block ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Washington would not allow Iran to generate revenue through oil exports. In an interview with Fox News, he also said the United States and its allies would deploy minesweepers to clear sea mines and secure key shipping lanes.

The United Kingdom has declined to participate in the blockade. A British government spokesperson said on Sunday that London would instead support efforts to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and should not become a "toll route," adding that the UK is working with France and other partners to form a maritime security coalition.

Iranian officials strongly rejected the US move. Irani said Iranian naval forces are closely monitoring US military activity in the region. "The threats of the US president to blockade Iran at sea ... are very ridiculous and funny," he said, according to state TV.

On the dame day, the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said all movements and non-movements in the Strait of Hormuz are under complete control of the Iranian armed forces. "Any erroneous maneuver will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the strait."

Conflicting accounts have also emerged over recent naval activity. CENTCOM said Saturday that two US warships transited the strait and began mine-clearing operations in nearby waters. However, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters denied the claim, saying no US vessels had entered the strait.

Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that two US destroyers, namely the USS Michael Murphy and the USS Frank E. Peterson, were forced to retreat after encountering Iranian naval forces, describing the episode as a "failed propaganda stunt timed to coincide with talks in Islamabad."

In a separate statement, the IRGC warned that any military vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz under any pretext would be regarded as a ceasefire violation and dealt with accordingly.

Talks end without breakthrough

The latest round of US-Iran talks concluded early Sunday in Islamabad without a breakthrough, exposing deep divisions over key issues.

Trump said on Sunday that the two sides had reached agreement on "most issues," but remained at odds over the nuclear question. He pledged to continue negotiations while warning that the US military was "fully prepared," reiterating that Iran would "never" be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

According to Iranian lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian, the United States made three major demands during the talks: joint control and revenue-sharing over the Strait of Hormuz, the export of all uranium enriched to 60 percent, and a 20-year halt to Iran's uranium enrichment activities. He said the Iranian delegation rejected these demands.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf described the talks as "intensive, serious and challenging," and said Washington must take steps to rebuild trust.

"We announced from the very beginning that we do not trust the Americans," Qalibaf said. "This comes as in less than 12 months, they attacked us two times in the middle of negotiations. Thus, they are the ones who must earn our trust," he stressed.

He added that recent threats from Trump would have no impact on the Iranian people. "If they fight, we will fight; and if they come forth with logic, we will react with logic. We will not surrender to any threat."

Amid the tensions, Dar, Pakistan's top diplomat, reiterated that strict adherence to ceasefire commitments is essential to easing tensions and preventing further escalation.

However, an Israeli defense official said on Sunday that the Israel Defense Forces has entered a state of high alert, preparing both for the possibility of renewed military action against Iran and potential retaliatory strikes.