Former US President Donald Trump has ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a dramatic escalation that threatens to plunge the Gulf region into open confrontation.
In a statement released late Thursday, Trump, who is again vying for the White House, declared that the blockade is necessary to stop what he called “Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.” The order, issued through his campaign’s shadow foreign policy team, has no current legal standing but has already sent shockwaves through global markets.
“The US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz will remain in effect until Iran ceases its destabilizing activities,” the statement read. Iranian officials have dismissed the announcement as “dangerous electioneering” and warned that any blockade would be met with an immediate military response.
Global oil prices surged over 12 percent within hours of the announcement, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s petroleum passes.
The Biden administration quickly distanced itself from Trump’s declaration, with a White House spokesperson stating that “only the sitting president has authority to order such military action.” Pentagon officials declined to comment.
Analysts warn that even a symbolic blockade attempt by private or irregular forces aligned with Trump could trigger a catastrophic conflict. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency session.
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