The confrontation between the United States and Iran is escalating: After a deadline for negotiations passed yesterday, President Donald Trump made clear today (Tuesday) that the naval blockade on Iran remains in full force. “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns, adding: “The naval blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump’s remarks follow the posting of a map that includes the Strait of Hormuz, along with parts of Iran, the Persian Gulf, and the Sea of Oman, with “New U.S. Territory” written at the top and the strait area circled. The post sparked fury in Tehran and drew sharp threats, with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, responding on X and claiming that Trump’s perception is a “delusion” that will soon be corrected. “We will correct the delusions of this delusional man,” Gharibabadi said.
The current tensions come after the 60-day deadline set under the understanding between the countries expired yesterday, with the sides failing to reach an agreement aimed at ending the war and advancing on the nuclear issue. With the collapse of diplomatic negotiations, sanctions returned to full force, and the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. President Trump summed up the expiration of the memorandum of understanding and made clear that “the number one goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot, in any shape or form, have a nuclear weapon.”