- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Tension between the US and Iran has increased after President Donald Trump confirmed that a security blockade had started around Iranian ports and reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to produce nuclear weapons. Trump’s comments and the actions of US forces in enforcing maritime restrictions in the waters surrounding Iran are in light of broken negotiations with Tehran and threaten to heighten regional tensions and endanger global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Repeats Tough Stance On Iranian Nuclear Weapons
President Donald Trump stated Iran “did not agree to not having a nuclear weapon", and the US will not allow Iran to produce nuclear weapons. He added that Washington would “get nuclear material back,” without providing further details on how such measures would be implemented.
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The US Naval blockade of the Iranian port started
US President Donald Trump announced the commencement of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports, continuing the US's policy of applying maritime pressure on Tehran - the US plans to limit all trade and shipping activities with Iran. The US Central Command will also continue to monitor all vessels that enter or exit these operational zones as part of its overall maritime security strategy.
Trump Warns Of Iran Contacts And Diplomatic Signals
The US president also said that American officials had been contacted earlier in the day regarding Iran, stating that “we’ve been called this morning by the right people on Iran.” He further suggested that Tehran may still be open to negotiations, saying Iran “wants to make a deal,” despite the ongoing military pressure.
NATO Allies Distances Itself From Blockading Operations
Reports from current diplomatic communications report that numerous NATO partners will not be participating in the US-led blockade on Iran's ports. The characteristics of our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) remain divided with regard to increasingly high levels of conflict.
Ongoing operations by Washington do not end with NATO; however, European partners (eg, EU states, European Free Trade Association nations) are increasingly and rightfully concerned about the relatively ineffective legitimacy for any blockade restrictions that will make shipping from Iran difficult in the future.
"The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
Trump Says US May Change Focus After Iran
Trump indicated that once America stabilises the Middle East through its Iran operations, it may shift its focus to other countries. He mentioned perhaps the next country to be focused on would be Cuba. Trump stated America was acting in conjunction with a global strategy to address global hotspots.
Trump's comments indicate a dual-pronged approach to using military pressure along with conditional or incentive-based diplomacy to encourage the Iranian regime to enter into a formal agreement with America and its allies. Under this hybrid strategy, America is undertaking both a maritime blockade of Iran and reaffirming that Iran may still agree with America and its allies.
At the same time, the current widespread opposition toward America among its allies, as well as increasing conflicts within the region where America has established allies, indicate there is still a great deal of uncertainty regarding the future stability of the regime in Iran.
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