Trump Orders Renewed US Naval Blockade on Iran to Increase Pressure Amid Rising Attacks

US President Donald Trump announced on July 13, 2026, that the US military will reinstate a naval blockade on Iran, a move aimed at intensifying pressure on the Iranian regime. This decision effectively signals the collapse of a recent US-Iran understanding signed less than a month ago. Trump and his administration believe the naval blockade is a more effective and efficient strategy than military airstrikes, citing its success during the "Operation Roaring Lion" campaign.

Alongside the blockade, US forces have escalated attacks along Iran's coastline, targeting multiple sites daily, not limited to the Strait of Hormuz area. Senior US officials stated the goal is to gradually degrade Iran's maritime strike capabilities to weaken the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' leverage in the strategic strait. The US Navy continues to escort at least 20 ships daily through the southern Strait of Hormuz near Oman's coast, coordinating closely to maintain open navigation.

Trump detailed the blockade on his Truth Social account, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all nations except Iranian vessels and their allies. He declared the US as the "Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz," proposing a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the strait to cover security costs. Implementation of this mechanism will begin immediately.

The US Central Command released footage of a recent strike on Bandar Abbas, where a maintenance facility for submarines and ships was hit using suicide boats for the first time. Despite the heightened military pressure, US officials acknowledge that any future negotiations with Iran would occur under ongoing conflict, with limited chances of success due to the Revolutionary Guards' determination to retain control over the strait.