US Navy BLOCKS Iran Economic Lifeline

Over the weekend, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, traveled to Pakistan for extended negotiations with Iranian representatives in hopes of obtaining a more solid ceasefire and agreement to end the war.

After roughly 21 hours of talks, it was apparent that the talks were going nowhere, and Vance walked away from the table with no agreement reached.

Now President Trump has let us in on his next move in this tense standoff with Iran.

As reported by the Washington Examiner:

The U.S. military, as directed by President Donald Trump, began a blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on Monday, the latest maneuver from the president following the unsuccessful talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the weekend.

The president’s decision represents a new tactic that the military is employing, one in which it will try to remove Iran’s leverage over the waterway that has sent the global economy into a frenzy.

The waterways off Iran’s coast, which get really narrow in the Strait of Hormuz, are vital to global oil shipping, and the war, which started roughly six weeks ago, has caused significant economic disruptions.

“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” a statement from U.S. Central Command said. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”

Clearly, Vance felt that Iran had no interest in meeting some of the Trump Administration’s red-line demands, making additional discussions futile. Among the sticking points by the Administration: the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions, and Iran’s refusal to scale back its nuclear enrichment program.

Following the breakdown of talks, Vance and the U.S. delegation stepped away, convinced Iran was not there to engage in good-faith negotiations.

And President Trump has now ordered a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which began at 10:00 a.m. EST this morning. The move comes after Iran’s previous agreement to reopen the strait evolved into only allowing selective vessels through, while threatening any others.

In preparation, American naval forces have been positioned on both sides of the strait, with destroyers moving deeper into the Persian Gulf. The U.S. directive states that any vessel entering or leaving the area without authorization may be intercepted, diverted, or seized.

In a post on Truth Social shortly before the broadcast, President Trump stated:

Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit is their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat. 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. It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The broader strategy appears focused on limiting Iran’s financial resources while avoiding immediate escalation through large-scale air campaigns. Since the ceasefire began last week, the U.S. has largely held off on additional strikes, even as Iranian military activity in the region continued.

At the same time, the blockade could have wider economic implications. Countries like China, which have been major buyers of Iranian oil, may be forced to look elsewhere for supply. That shift – combined with reduced output – could put upward pressure on global energy prices.

For now, the situation remains fluid. The ceasefire itself is temporary, with just over a week remaining. And President Trump’s 60-day window is only weeks from closing, at which point he’ll have to appeal to Congress for permission to escalate military activity.

Whatever happens next – whether it’s a return to the negotiation table or an expansion in military operations – it will hinge on how both sides respond in the coming days. We will continue to watch very closely and keep you updated.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion on the stalled negotiations with Iran and President Trump’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. We also turned our attention from Iran to California to provide an update on our major religious liberty case at the U.S Supreme Court, as Governor Newsom attempts to punish and bankrupt a church. We also discussed embattled Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), who just dropped his bid to succeed Newsom in California.

Watch the full broadcast below: