President Donald Trump has said the US navy will “immediately” begin a blockade to stop ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz. “(A)t an appropriate moment, we are fully ‘LOCKED AND LOADED,’ and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!” he wrote. It came after the face-to-face talks ended without an agreement, leaving the fragile two-week ceasefire in the war in the Middle East in doubt. Israel pressed ahead with strikes after the ceasefire was announced, saying the agreement did not apply there. Hezbollah joined the war in support of Iran in the opening days.

Source: Irish Examiner April 12, 2026 14:25 UTC