US Blocks Iranian Ports in Response to Strait Closure

U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of economic terrorism on Monday for blocking maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, vowing that the United States would impose its own restrictions on Iranian vessels in response to the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.

The comments came during a Fox News interview as the U.S. military initiated a blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas, effective that afternoon. U.S. Central Command stated the measure targets ships entering or departing Iranian waters but allows passage for vessels traveling to or from non-Iranian ports through the strait, a vital chokepoint for about 20 percent of global oil supplies. Vance emphasized reciprocity, saying, "If the Iranians engage in economic terrorism, then we will follow the principle that no Iranian ships are getting out either," and noted that President Donald Trump had demonstrated "two can play at that game."

The blockade followed the collapse of weekend peace talks in Islamabad between high-level U.S. and Iranian delegations, which lasted over 21 hours but ended without an agreement. Vance, who led the U.S. team alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, described...