President Donald Trump has told the world that the US is 'fully locked and loaded' to finish off Iran after peace talks collapsed.
The commander-in-chief, 79, announced on Sunday (12 April) that he has instructed the US Navy to star blockading ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
The move is set to bring another blow to the global economy, causing oil prices to shoot up by epic proportions once again.
Peace talks held in Pakistan between the US and Iran wrapped up without the two sides reaching an agreement, with Trump saying that the row over Iran's nuclear ambitions proved to be the dealbreaker.
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In a scathing statement shared to Truth Social in wake of the failed talks, he laid out his plan to blockade 'any and all' ships passing through the vital oil and gas shipping lane.
"So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not," the president said.
"Effective immediately, 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."
Trump said he had also instructed the US Navy to 'seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran'.
"No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," Trump continued. "We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits.
"Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their Country."
Trump went on to say that the blockade 'will begin shortly' and claimed that 'other countries' will be involved in policing vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, although he did not name them.
He concluded his Truth Social post with the chilling warning: "At an appropriate moment, we are fully 'LOCKED AND LOADED', and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!"
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out the prospect of the UK becoming involved in the blockade and said he is instead concentrating on 'getting the Strait fully open'.
The US Central Command, which is responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, confirmed Trump's plans to blockade Iranian ports and coastal areas - but stopped short of saying all ships would be pulled.
US forces 'will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,' it said.
This means ships travelling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait would still be allowed to pass through.
In response to Trump's latest threats, Iran shared its own warning with the world about the consequences the blockade could lead to.
"Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for NO ONE," the Iranian military said, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. "NO PORT in the region will be safe."
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the face-to-face talks with Iran in Islamabad, told reporters on Saturday (11 April) that the country had 'chosen not to accept our terms'.
These included Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon, ending uranium enrichment, dismantling major enrichment facilities and allowing retrieval of its highly enriched uranium, along with opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending funding for Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi rebels. Iranian officials said talks fell apart over two or three key issues, blaming what they called US overreach.
The two sides agreed to a two-week ceasefire last week and the world had hoped they would hammer out a deal to bring the war to an end. It is not clear what happen when the ceasefire expires on 22 April.
However, the ramifications of Trump's latest move have been felt immediately, as economists warned that 'a storm of price rises are on the way'.
Economic consequences to expect
"Trump’s high stakes gamble aimed at forcing Iran to bow to his demands has sent oil prices rocketing," Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said.
“It’s sent a fresh jolt of pessimism through financial markets with the FTSE 100 opening lower...investors should be prepared for more turbulence.
"Iran’s oil had been flowing, and sanctions had been temporarily lifted to keep a lid on prices to limit financial and political fallout.
"Trump is willing to send the prices of oil, gas and other commodities sky-high, in the hope it’ll force concessions from Iran," she went on.
"A storm of price rises is on the way, with fuel, food, bills and housing costs set to rise further. As inflation is set to ramp up as the economy struggles, a toxic and persistent stagflation scenario risks emerging.
"Interest rates are set to rise, just as other financial pain points flare up, and a miserable May looms after an anxiety-laden April."
Topics: Donald Trump, Iran, Politics, US News, Money, World News
Olivia Burke