The United States has resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports and launched fresh military strikes following the collapse of interim peace negotiations. President Donald Trump ordered the action on Tuesday after accusing Tehran of escalating tensions, effectively abandoning the June 17 agreement and renewing a high-stakes maritime confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Resumption of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade
The U.S. Navy began enforcing a blockade of vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, according to Aljazeera. This move marks the return of a policy that had been suspended in mid-June following the signing of an interim deal intended to de-escalate the conflict, NewsCord reported.
President Trump had initially proposed a 20% fee on ships passing through the strait, but he abandoned that plan hours before the blockade went into effect. Instead, he announced that Gulf allies would pursue trade and investment deals with the United States. The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION,
Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social network, as cited by CNBC.
Military Strikes and Escalating Exchanges
The renewed blockade accompanies a wave of U.S. military strikes across Iran. According to Aljazeera, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) targeted infrastructure in Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Mahshahr, and Abadan—the latter being home to the Middle East’s oldest oil refinery. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. employed unmanned surface vessels for the first time in combat during these operations, conducting a kamikaze mission against a submarine and ship maintenance facility at the Bandar Abbas Naval Base.
For more on this story, see Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Set for New Talks in Qatar After Exchanging Strikes, Trump Says.
Iran has responded with direct military actions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acknowledged disabling two supertankers in Omani waters on Tuesday, claiming the vessels ignored warnings, as reported by Aljazeera. Tehran also launched retaliatory strikes against Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Diplomatic Standoff and Congressional Friction
The collapse of the June 17 agreement has left both sides blaming the other for the return to hostilities. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, told state media that Tehran considers itself free of all obligations under the agreement, including those related to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, ‘There may be a mine out there somewhere,’ that nobody knows about but them,
Trump said, justifying the U.S. position during an interview on CNBC
Domestically, the escalation has triggered a legislative battle. Senate Democrats blocked a vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer arguing that Congress should not debate defense spending while ignoring the current national security crisis. NewsCord noted that Senator Adam Schiff has also filed a new War Powers Resolution, renewing questions about the administration’s legal authority to conduct strikes without explicit congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
As of Tuesday, the situation remains fluid, with both the U.S. and Iran signaling that they are prioritizing military leverage over the previously attempted diplomatic path. While Trump claims that conversations between the two nations continue, Iranian officials have indicated they are halting all engagement until the regional conflict—specifically in Lebanon—is resolved.
