Trump warns Iran naval vessels will be ‘immediately eliminated’ amid blockade escalation

Tensions in the Gulf have intensified after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that any Iranian naval vessels approaching a newly announced US blockade would be “immediately eliminated.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that much of Iran’s navy had already been destroyed during ongoing hostilities, stating that “Iran’s Navy is lying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships.” He further added that only a small number of so-called “fast attack ships” remained, which he described as posing a limited threat.

The warning comes as the US military confirmed plans to begin a naval blockade of Iranian ports at 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT) on Monday. The measure, according to officials, is expected to restrict the movement of vessels entering and leaving Iranian harbors, further heightening tensions in the region despite a fragile ceasefire.

However, as the deadline passed, there was no immediate confirmation that the blockade had formally taken effect, nor reports of any maritime interceptions.

Trump also stated that the current two-week ceasefire with Iran was “holding well,” even though weekend negotiations held in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough agreement.

Iran, meanwhile, has issued warnings that it will retaliate against any foreign military vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The escalation has raised concerns over potential disruptions to international trade and energy supplies.

Diplomatic efforts are continuing, with additional talks between regional actors, including Israel and Lebanon, expected later this week as international pressure mounts to prevent further escalation.