The Strait Confrontation Escalates — After US-Iran Talks Collapse, the Persian Gulf Enters a New Stage of “Blockade and Counter-Blockade”

On April 12, 2026, the 21-hour marathon negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad ended with a “no agreement reached.” Within 48 hours after the talks collapsed, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz rapidly escalated from a “diplomatic standoff” to a “military standoff.” The US announced that it would impose a blockade on maritime traffic entering and leaving all Iranian ports starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, while Iran responded firmly, saying that any military vessels approaching the strait would be treated as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and would face “severe and forceful responses.” A game of “blockade” versus “counter-blockade” is being played out fiercely at the world’s most important energy chokepoint.
I. No Results from the 21-Hour Talks: US and Iran Each Tells Its Own Story
On the morning of April 12 local time, US Vice President Vance announced at a press conference at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad that after about 21 hours of negotiations, the US and Iran failed to reach any agreement. Vance said the US side had very clearly outlined its own “red lines,” but Iran “chose not to accept the US conditions.” He accused Iran of refusing to commit to abandoning the development of nuclear weapons, saying that US negotiating representatives had put forward a “final best offer,” but Iran had refused to accept it.
Vance disclosed that the US’s core demand was for Iran not only to not develop nuclear weapons currently, but also to commit in the long term not to obtain the relevant capabilities and technologies, but that the US “has not yet seen such a clear willingness.” The US has put forward a “best final proposal” and is waiting to see whether “Iran will accept it.”
Iran’s narrative, however, is sharply different. Iranian official Nabavian revealed three major “unreasonable demands” made by the US: requiring that “profits and management” in the Strait of Hormuz be “shared equally” with Iran; requiring that all enriched uranium with a 60% abundance be exported out of the country; and requiring the stripping of all uranium enrichment rights from Iran for the next 20 years. The Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that “the excessive and unreasonable demands proposed by the United States hindered the establishment of a common framework and agreement during the negotiations.” Iran’s side said the US intended to obtain at the negotiating table concessions that it could not secure on the battlefield.
After the talks ended, Trump himself said that the US and Iran had agreed on “most issues,” but failed to reach agreement on the key issue of “the nuclear matter.” He told the media, “I don’t care whether they come back. If they don’t come back, I don’t care either.”
II. US Forces Announce Blockade of Iranian Ports
Only a few hours after the talks broke down, Trump posted on social media that the US Navy would begin preventing any ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, and said it would begin “destroying” the mines laid by Iranians in that strait. Shortly afterward, the US Central Command issued a statement, announcing that, based on a presidential order, starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, it would impose a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports.
The statement said the blockade would target ships from all countries entering and leaving Iranian ports and their coastal areas, with no differentiation, including all Iranian ports located in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Gulf—i.e., all Iranian ports as listed in parallel. At the same time, the US Central Command said it would not hinder ships traveling to and from non-Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also revealed that the UK and other countries are dispatching mine-sweeping vessels, and NATO has also expressed willingness to provide assistance.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that Trump was considering resuming limited military strikes against Iran while maintaining the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The reports pointed out that the likelihood of the US military carrying out a full-scale bombing of Iran is low, because Trump is unwilling to get pulled into a prolonged military conflict. US media outlet Politico, citing a Trump administration official, reported that the deeper reason behind Trump agreeing to the ceasefire was that he realized the Pentagon might be overly optimistic about the battlefield situation, and that achieving the war objectives may not be as easy as he imagined.
III. Iran’s Firm Counteraction: Military Vessels Approaching Means a “Violation of the Ceasefire”
Facing the US blockade threat, Iran’s response was equally tough. Iran’s Navy commander Shahram Irani said in response that US President Trump “after suffering a defeat in war is still threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz,” and that such an approach is “utterly absurd and laughable.” Iran’s naval forces are closely monitoring all US military actions in the region.
On the same day, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an announcement stating that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under control and open to non-military vessels under certain regulations. The announcement explicitly warned that any act by any military vessel intended to approach the Strait of Hormuz under any name or excuse would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement and would be met with a “severe and forceful response.” The Revolutionary Guard Navy also released drone monitoring footage of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that “any wrong move will plunge the enemy into a deadly whirlpool in the strait.”
Iran’s parliament said that as a new plan is being advanced, management of the Strait of Hormuz will enter a new phase, and the fleets of hostile countries will be banned from passing through the strait. Just before the US announced the blockade, two empty-load oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island temporarily turned back, for reasons unknown.
More noteworthy, on the 12th, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps released a video, claiming that two US Navy destroyers had recently attempted to enter the Persian Gulf, but after the Revolutionary Guard Navy “locked onto” them, the US warships were forced to withdraw. It is said that when the US warships arrived at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, Iranian cruise missiles had already completed “lock-on,” with attack drones deployed simultaneously, leaving the US ships a 30-minute window to retreat. The US Central Command previously claimed that the two destroyers successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11. The two sides’ accounts are completely opposite, reflecting the high uncertainty over what is happening above the strait.
IV. The UK Refuses to Participate in the Blockade
Notably, one of the US’s closest allies— the UK—has clearly stated that it will not participate in the blockade action against the Strait of Hormuz. A UK government spokesperson said the UK will continue to support the restoration of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and that it should not become a toll passage. In this regard, the UK is cooperating with countries such as France to form an alliance. During a phone discussion of the situation in the Middle East between UK Prime Minister Starmer and French President Macron, both sides agreed that any ceasefire agreement should include Lebanon and said it should be ensured through cooperation with partners to guarantee freedom of navigation. The UK’s public refusal to follow the US in the blockade action marks the first major fracture in Trump’s alliance support.
V. International Oil Prices Soar, Global Economy Under Pressure
The combined effect of the talks breaking down and the blockade threat was quickly reflected in global energy markets. As of April 13, WTI crude oil futures’ gains expanded to 9%, to $105.437 per barrel. Analysts noted that market concerns about tensions in the Middle East escalating again and ongoing supply disruptions caused international oil prices to surge sharply at the start of the new trading week.
Meanwhile, spot gold and spot silver both opened down by more than 2%. Spot gold fell below 4650 dollars, down 2.11% intraday. This trend is in stark contrast to the “oil prices crashing and gold soaring” reverse movement when ceasefire news broke out— the market is repricing the script of “negotiation failure and blockade launch” with real money.
VI. Future Outlook: A Second Round of Talks or a Restart of War?
Although the US-Iran talks have failed, diplomatic channels have not been completely closed. According to Jinshi Data, informed officials said that a second round of US-Iran negotiations may be held within a few days. An Iranian president said that Iran is ready to reach a balanced and fair agreement; if the US “returns to the framework of international law,” an agreement is just around the corner. Trump also said that the Iranians have not left the negotiating table, and they are expected to come back “to give us everything we want.”
However, Iran has also released different signals at the same time. An insider said Iran is not in a hurry to negotiate with the US again. Iranian Parliament Speaker Kalibaf, after leaving Pakistan, said that Iran’s delegation from the very beginning has shown distrust of Americans. If the US wants to find a way out, the only solution is to make a decision and earn the trust of the Iranian people.
On the military front, an Israeli senior defense official said that the Israel Defense Forces are in a “high state of readiness,” preparing to restart military action against Iran while also preparing for a possible surprise attack by Iran on Israel. Iran’s side said it is closely monitoring all US military actions in the region.
After the negotiations ended, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Darel called for the US and Iran to continue to honor their ceasefire commitments, hoping that both sides will continue to maintain a positive spirit and work toward durable peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Summary: The 21-hour marathon talks failed to bridge decades of gaps between the US and Iran, and the battle of “blockade” versus “counter-blockade” is pushing the Persian Gulf toward an even more dangerous edge. The US military blockade order took effect officially at 10:00 a.m. on April 13, and Iran warned that any military approach would be deemed a “violation of the ceasefire.” If both sides cannot return to the negotiating table in the coming days, the fragile framework of the temporary ceasefire could be shattered by new shelling at any moment. Global oil prices have already broken through 105 dollars, and the suspense in the Middle East is only just beginning.
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