War in the Middle East: American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, mutual threats… what to remember from the recent.

Donald Trump announced on Sunday, April 12, an American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after failed talks with Iran in Islamabad on nuclear issues, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Let’s take a look at a day of escalating news.

Key Points

Donald Trump announced on Sunday an American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of refusing to give up its nuclear ambitions after direct talks failed which aimed to end the war in the Middle East.

While he stated that the discussions in Islamabad, lasting over 20 hours, were “successful” and that “most points had been agreed upon”, the U.S. President reiterated readiness to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, indicating Tehran’s refusal to compromise on nuclear issues.

“We are overwhelmed by despair and helplessness. We are tired of this uncertainty,” reacted Nahid, a 60-year-old homemaker in Tehran, after enduring six weeks of Israeli-American bombardments.

“There didn’t seem to be anyone truly willing to negotiate,” commented 38-year-old teacher Laura Kaufman in Tel Aviv.

It is especially by accusing Iran of seeking nuclear weapons — a claim denied by Tehran — that the U.S. justified the offensive launched with Israel on February 28, sparking a war that has resulted in thousands of deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and is disrupting the global economy.

“Act of War”

The United States will initiate a “process of blocking all ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz,” crucial for global trade and oil supply, as stated by the American President in his initial response to the announcement of failed negotiations during the night.

While not detailing the specifics of such an operation, as Iran has controlled the passage since the start of the war, he mentioned on Fox News that the UK “and a few other countries” would send minesweepers.

Iran “will not yield to any threats,” responded Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation in Islamabad.

The Revolutionary Guards threatened to trap their enemies in a “deadly vortex,” claiming to have “full control” of the strait’s traffic, where Tehran has established passage rights.

According to the Iranian news agency Fars, two Pakistani-flagged oil tankers heading there turned back on Sunday, while hundreds of merchant ships remain blocked.

An American blockade “is an act of war, and it suggests that Washington is increasingly disillusioned with diplomacy,” analyzed Nicole Grajewski, a professor at the Centre for International Studies in Paris.

“Distrust”

Immediately after the announcement of the talks’ deadlock, Pakistan called for respect of the truce agreed between Tehran and Washington on Wednesday. Neither side has commented on the fate of the ceasefire set to expire on April 22.

Oman, a mediator between the two countries before the war, urged them to make “painful concessions” for a negotiated settlement. While the delegations left Pakistan, they did not close the door to further discussions.

<p"We leave here with a very simple proposal, an approach that constitutes our final and best offer," stated US Vice President JD Vance before leaving Islamabad. "We will see if the Iranians accept it."

Tehran, on its part, blamed the talks’ failure on American attempts to “dictate their terms,” with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei referring to an “atmosphere of suspicion and distrust.” For him, “it was obvious” that an agreement could not be reached “in a single session.”

Lebanese Front

On the second main front of the war, Lebanon, talks are scheduled for Tuesday between Lebanese and American representatives in Washington, after approval from Israel under American pressure.

Lebanese authorities have recorded over 2,000 deaths since the country was dragged into the war on March 2 by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, which has rejected any direct negotiation.

Following the ceasefire, Israel asserted that Lebanon, where it fights against the Shiite movement, was not included in the agreement.

During his first visit to southern Lebanon since the start of hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the army, after advancing into Lebanese territory to establish a so-called “security zone,” had “foiled the threat of an invasion.” His Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam assured that Beirut was working towards a complete Israeli withdrawal.