Trump Orders Naval Blockade Against Iran Amid Tensions
• Naijanews • Politics
On a recent Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move that follows the collapse of high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. military plans to commence the blockade at 1400 GMT, with a statement clarifying that U.S. forces will not obstruct the transit of vessels to non-Iranian ports. This decision has been met with swift condemnation from Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, and Shahram Irani, the Iranian Navy Chief, who described the blockade as a threat. Iran's Foreign Minister Abba Araghchi accused the U.S. of frustrating near-agreement talks. The blockade has already affected global oil markets, causing prices to surge by eight percent, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) exceeding $100 per barrel. The situation is further complicated by ongoing military actions in Lebanon and Israel, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Topics: Politics, Military