The Strait Standoff Escalates — After the US-Iran Talks Break Down, the Persian Gulf Enters a New Phase of “Blockade and Counter-Blockade”

On April 12, 2026, the US and Iran’s 21-hour marathon negotiations in Islamabad ended in “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 United States announced it would impose a blockade on maritime traffic for all entry into and exit from Iranian ports starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, while Iran responded forcefully, saying that any military vessel approaching the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement and would face “severe and hardline responses.” A game of “blockade” and “counter-blockade” is being played out fiercely at the world’s most important energy chokepoint.

1. No Results After 21 Hours of Talks: The US and Iran Take Different Positions

On the morning of April 12, local time, US Vice President Vance announced at a press conference held 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 made its “red lines” very clear, but Iran “chose not to accept the US’s conditions.” He accused Iran of refusing to commit to abandoning the development of nuclear weapons, saying that US negotiation representatives had put forward a “final and best offer,” but Iran refused to accept it.

Vance revealed that the US’s core demand is for Iran not only to not develop nuclear weapons at present, but also to commit in the long term to not obtain the relevant capabilities and technologies, yet “we have not seen such a clear intention.” The US put forward a “best final proposal,” and is waiting to see whether Iran will accept it.

Iran’s narrative, however, is completely different. Iranian official Nabavian disclosed the three major “unreasonable demands” put forward by the US: requiring that the “benefits and management” in the Strait of Hormuz be “shared evenly” with Iran; requiring Iran to export all enriched uranium with 60% abundance out of the country; and requiring Iran to be deprived of all uranium enrichment rights for the next 20 years. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that “the excessively unreasonable demands proposed by the United States hindered the achievement of a common framework and agreement during the negotiations.” Iran said the US is trying to obtain at the negotiating table concessions it failed to secure in the battlefield.

After the talks ended, Trump himself said that the US and Iran meeting had “reached agreement on most issues,” but failed to reach agreement on the key issue of the “nuclear issue.” He told the media, “I don’t care whether they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I don’t care.”

2. The US Military Announces a Blockade of Iranian Ports

Only a few hours after the breakdown of the negotiations, Trump posted on social media saying that the US Navy would begin blocking any ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, and stated that it would begin “destroying” the mines laid by Iranians in that strait. Subsequently, the US Central Command issued a statement announcing that, according to a presidential order, starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, it would impose a blockade on all maritime traffic for all entry into and exit from Iranian ports.

The statement said that this blockade would target ships from all countries entering and leaving Iranian ports and their coastal areas in the same way, including all Iranian ports located in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Gulf. The US Central Command also stated that it would not obstruct ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. Trump also revealed that the United Kingdom and other countries are dispatching minesweeper vessels, and NATO also expressed its willingness to provide assistance.

Meanwhile, reports say that Trump is considering restoring 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 conducting a full-scale bombing campaign against Iran is low, because Trump does not want to get drawn into a prolonged military conflict. US media outlet Politico, citing a Trump administration official, reported that the deeper reason behind Trump’s agreement to the ceasefire earlier was that—he realized the Pentagon might be overly optimistic about the situation on the battlefield, and achieving war objectives may not be as easy as he imagined.

3. Iran’s Forceful Countermeasures: Military Vessels Approaching Equals a “Violation of the Ceasefire”

Faced with the US blockade threat, Iran’s response is equally tough. Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani responded that President Trump “threatens to blockade the Strait of Hormuz even after being defeated in war,” calling such an approach “utterly absurd and laughable.” Iran’s navy is closely monitoring all military actions by the US in the region.

The same day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an announcement saying that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under control and open to non-military vessels under certain specific regulations. The announcement clearly warned that any action by any military vessel, under any name or excuse, that intends to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement and will be met with “severe and hardline responses.” The Revolutionary Guard Corps 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.”

The Iranian parliament said that as a new plan is advanced, the management of the Strait of Hormuz will enter a new phase, and the fleets of hostile countries will be prohibited 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 after approaching the area around Iran’s Larak Island temporarily turned back, with the specific reasons unknown.

More intriguingly, on the 12th, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps released a video claiming that two US destroyers in recent days attempted to enter the Persian Gulf, and after the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy “locked on” to them, the US military ships were forced to retreat. It is said that when the US ships reached the entrance to the Persian Gulf, Iranian cruise missiles had already completed “lock-on,” attack drones were deployed simultaneously, leaving the US ships a 30-minute window to withdraw. The US Central Command previously claimed that two destroyers successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11. The two sides’ accounts are diametrically opposite, reflecting the high level of uncertainty hovering over the situation above the strait.

4. The UK Refuses to Participate in the Blockade

Notably, one of the United States’ closest allies—the United Kingdom—clearly stated that it would not participate in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. A UK government spokesperson said that the UK will continue to support the restoration of free flow in the Strait of Hormuz, and it should not become a toll passage. On this, the UK is working with countries such as France to form an alliance. When UK Prime Minister Starmer and French President Macron discussed the situation in the Middle East by phone, both agreed that any ceasefire agreement should include Lebanon, and that the partners should work together to jointly ensure freedom of navigation. The UK’s public refusal to follow the United States in its blockade action marks the first major rift in Trump’s support from allies.

5. International Oil Prices Soar, Global Economy Faces Pressure

The combined effects of the talks breaking down and the blockade threat were quickly reflected in the global energy market. As of April 13, WTI crude oil futures’ gain had expanded to 9%, reaching $105.437 per barrel. Analysts pointed out that market concerns over the Middle East tensions 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 $4,650 and was down 2.11% for the day. This trend sharply contrasts with the opposite reaction when the ceasefire news broke—“oil prices plunging and gold soaring.” The market is re-pricing the script of “talks failing and blockade activation” with real money.

6. 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 data compiled by Jinshi, informed officials revealed that a second round of US-Iran negotiations could take place within a few days. Iran’s president said Iran is ready to reach a balanced and fair agreement, and if the United States “returns to the framework of international law,” an agreement will be within reach soon. Trump also said that the Iranians have not left the negotiating table, and that they are expected to come back, “to give us everything we want.”

However, Iran has also released different signals. Insiders said Iran is not in a hurry to hold talks with the United States again. Iranian parliament speaker Kalibaf, after leaving Pakistan, said Iran’s delegation had made clear from the beginning that it does not trust Americans. If the US wants to find a way out, the only solution is to make a decision and win the trust of the Iranian people.

On the military front, an Israeli senior defense official said that the Israel Defense Forces have entered a “high state of readiness” and are preparing to restart military operations against Iran, while also preparing for possible Iranian raids on Israel. Iran, meanwhile, said it is closely monitoring all US military actions in the region.

After the negotiations ended, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar called for the US and Iran to continue to honor their ceasefire commitments, hoping both sides will maintain a positive spirit and work toward lasting peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Summary: The 21-hour marathon negotiations were unable to bridge decades of divide between the US and Iran, and the contest between “blockade” and “counter-blockade” is pushing the Persian Gulf toward an even more dangerous edge. The US military blockade order officially took effect at 10:00 on April 13, and Iran warned that any military approach would be treated as a “violation of the ceasefire.” If both sides cannot return to the negotiating table in the coming days, the fragile temporary ceasefire framework could be shattered by new gunfire at any time. Global oil prices have already broken through $105, and the suspense in the Middle East is only just beginning.

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