WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new order directing the United States Navy to enact an immediate full blockade of all vessels attempting to transit in or out of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. The major policy shift was made public via a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, confirming that the restrictive maritime measure would go into effect without delay.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most vital chokepoints for global energy trade. Roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil supplies and a substantial share of global liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the strait, making any disruption to maritime traffic there capable of sending shockwaves through international energy markets and global supply chains. Trump’s announcement of a full blockade marks an unprecedented escalation of maritime tensions in the already volatile Middle East region, with broad implications for global energy security and international diplomatic relations.