U.S. President Donald Trump announced a total maritime blockade of Iran and called for a global reexamination of NATO’s role. The American leader emphasized halting all Iranian oil revenue and imposing heavy tariffs on its trade partners. Washington also confirmed its readiness for radical military action if the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz persists.
Donald Trump reported this during a telephone interview on Fox News.
The President expressed sharp disappointment with Alliance members over their lack of support for the U.S. military operation. He noted that America spent $350 billion to protect Europe and Ukraine against Russian aggression, yet received no reciprocal aid in return.
“We’re very disappointed in NATO. Very, very disappointed that they didn’t join in. Now they want to come and help with the strait, clean it out. It won’t take long. We’ll clean out the strait, and they’ll be able to use it,” Trump said.
Economic Isolation and Sanctions
The White House plans to implement a total isolation regime for the Iranian maritime sector, following the model of sanctions against Venezuela. Trump vowed that Iranian oil sales would be stopped completely. A specific warning was issued to Beijing: the U.S. will impose 50 percent tariffs on goods from any country caught supplying military equipment to the Iranian regime.
The President also confirmed the deployment of advanced anti-drone weaponry, including lasers and computerized bullets. He emphasized that the U.S. military could knock out Iran’s entire energy grid within hours. However, Trump added that he seeks to avoid such a scenario because it would create long-term recovery challenges for the country.
Demands for Allies and Negotiations
The Strait of Hormuz is strategically vital for Japan and South Korea, which receive 93% and 45% of their oil through it, respectively. Trump remarked that despite U.S. troops protecting these nations, they do not provide sufficient help in return. The President expects Tehran to return to the bargaining table and meet all Washington’s demands without compromise.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that the U.S. Navy begins a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following a Trump order.
