President Donald Trump said Iran’s 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.
The comments, delivered in a pair of posts on Truth Social, 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’s nuclear ambitions.
“Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,” 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 “I think they would use it.”
“It’s the easiest question you’ve asked me so far. They can’t have nuclear weapons,” says @POTUS on why Operation Epic Fury was critical.
“I think they would use it.” pic.twitter.com/MYupnZKyr5
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026
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’s leadership, specifically Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir, calling them “very extraordinary men” and crediting them with helping facilitate the talks.
Trump said the negotiations stretched “throughout the night,” and suggested that while some secondary issues saw progress, none of it mattered given Iran’s 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.
“My representatives became … very friendly and respectful … but that doesn’t matter,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that Iran remained “unyielding” on the nuclear issue.
Trump also sharply criticized Iran’s 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 “may” be present were enough to paralyze global shipping markets, describing the situation as causing “anxiety, dislocation, and pain” for countries dependent on the route.
“They knowingly failed,” Trump wrote. “There is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran.”
In response, Trump announced that the United States will move forward with a naval blockade.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy… will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
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’s demands would be guaranteed safe passage.
He framed the move as both an economic and military response, warning that the United States is prepared to escalate further if necessary.
“We are fully locked and loaded,” Trump wrote, adding that any Iranian forces that engage U.S. ships or commercial vessels would be “blown to hell.”
Trump reiterated, during an appearance by phone on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, that Iran’s military capabilities have already been significantly degraded, asserting that much of its naval and air power is “gone.” He warned that continued defiance on the nuclear issue would only worsen Tehran’s position.
“They came in like they had the cards, but they don’t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated,” Trump explained.
.@POTUS on the Iranians: “They came in like they had the cards, but they don’t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated.” pic.twitter.com/6nonjAOnqx
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026
The blockade, which Trump said will begin “shortly” 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.
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