Iran latest: Trump warns 'quick and brutal' end for Iranian ships at blockade
President Trump announced Sunday that the Navy would block any ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks with Iran stalled in Pakistan over the weekend.
U.S. Central Command announced that it will blockade all Iranian ports beginning Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran.
Meanwhile, oil prices rose in early market trading on Sunday after the U.S. announced the blockade. The price of U.S. crude oil rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 7% to $102.29.
A smartphone displays the MarineTraffic app showing a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz with a satellite view of the strait in the background, in Creteil, France, on April 8, 2026. The United States and Iran have reached a diplomatic agreement reo
Here is the latest:
President Trump threatens Iranian ships will be ‘ELIMINATED’
10:43 a.m. ET: President Trump took to social media to post an update on the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The threat was directed primarily to Iran's "fast attack ships" as they are the bulk of what's remaining from their naval forces.
President Trump via Truth Social
Spain says blockade threat is ‘senseless’
9:10 a.m. ET: Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles said President Trump's threat of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz "makes no sense."
"Nobody knows the reason why this war started, a war that was supposed to be quick. This is just another episode of the downward spiral we have been dragged into, and that they have tried to drag the entire world into," Robles told a reporter on Monday.
Spain has been Europe's loudest critic of the U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran.
Pope pushes back on Trump
7:10 a.m. ET: Pope Leo XIV went back at President Donald Trump after recent criticism. The pope told reporters that the Vatican's appeal for peace is rooted in the Gospel and he doesn't fear the Trump administration.
"To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is," Pope Leo said. "And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today."
Russia sends a warning
6:35 a.m. ET: Officials from Russia said that a U.S. blockade on the strait will hurt global markets.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the announcement to reporters.
"Most likely, such actions will continue to negatively impact international markets, this can be assumed with a high degree of certainty."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.