The threat from the president has left global markets in another period of uncertainty, with questions over how the blockade will be enforced
Donald Trump has said the US will begin a blockade of the strait of Hormuz, after ceasefire talks with Iran ended without an agreement over the weekend.
The strait has emerged as Iran’s most effective weapon in its asymmetric war with the US. Since 28 February, the US and Israel have pounded Iran, striking thousands of targets and killing dozens of the country’s most senior leaders. Iran has responded by effectively closing the strait – a vital waterway through which about 20% of global oil moves though in normal times – driving up oil prices and fuelling fears of a surge in inflation.
The threat from the president has now left global markets in another period of uncertainty, after they ended last week optimistic that negotiations between Washington and Tehran might result in an end to the chaos that has wracked the world economy for more than six weeks.
On Sunday, the president posted to social media: “The United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”
