President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran against interfering with the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships,” Trump posted on Truth Social minutes after the blockade went into effect. “What we have not hit are 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.”
RELATED STORY | How high could gas prices go? Record not out of the question
In addition to the blockade, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to seek and interdict any vessel that had paid a toll to Iran for safe passage through the strait.
The move suggests tensions between the U.S. and Iran may be getting worse after peace talks between the two sides failed to produce a deal over the weekend.
Are more talks likely?
President Trump shared on Monday, without going into details, that he had spoken with “the other side” since warning Iran to respect the blockade.
“They want to work a deal,” the president told reporters.
Anonymous sources speaking to the Associated Press, including two U.S. officials and at least one diplomat “from one of the mediating countries,” said the U.S. and Iran were considering more in-person negotiations.
Continued talks would again be hosted in Pakistan, the sources said. The timing and list of attendees had not yet been finalized.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Inflation was already high before Iran war drove up gas prices, new report shows
Both oil and gas prices have seen increases as uncertainty abounds for the current ceasefire in Iran and what may happen next in the Middle East.
Iran has taken note of how higher gas prices are shaping American sentiment about the war.
“Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade,’ Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4-$5 gas,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker said.