U.S.-Iran Talks End Without Agreement as Trump Orders Hormuz Blockade

TLDR

• The U.S. and Iran wrapped up 21 hours of talks in Pakistan without reaching a deal
• VP JD Vance stated Iran refused to commit to halting its nuclear weapons program
• Trump announced the U.S. Navy would immediately impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz
• The strait carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies
• Oil markets are expected to open higher on Monday following the talks’ collapse

(SeaPRwire) –   The United States and Iran exited peace talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday without reaching a consensus, bringing an end to 21 hours of negotiations that failed to bridge key divides.

JUST IN – Trump orders the U.S. Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz for “any and all ships attempting to enter or leave the waterway.” He has also directed the U.S. Navy to locate and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran: “No one who pays an illegal toll will… pic.twitter.com/wpvTuTvyd6

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 12, 2026

Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation. He noted that Iran would not commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons program, which he framed as a core U.S. demand.

“We’ve made our red lines as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms,” Vance told reporters in Islamabad early Sunday.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is only natural that differences cannot be resolved in a single round of talks. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated “diplomacy never ends” and left the door open for further negotiations.

The talks covered three main areas: control of the Strait of Hormuz, a potential ceasefire extension, and phased sanctions relief. Iran’s semi-official media characterized U.S. demands as “excessive.”

Iran has kept vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz at a standstill since the U.S.-Israeli war began in late February. This waterway handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Two empty supertankers attempted to transit the strait on Sunday. Both turned back just as the peace talks collapsed.

Trump Orders Blockade

Hours after the talks fell apart, President Trump posted on Truth Social announcing the U.S. Navy would immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote.

Trump also said the Navy would intercept any vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said.

Trump stated the meeting “went well” and that “most points were agreed upon,” but confirmed the two sides could not align on Iran’s nuclear program.

Oil Markets Brace for Monday Open

Analysts expect oil and gas prices to jump when markets open Monday. Nick Twidale, chief market analyst at AT Global Markets in Sydney, said optimism had been building last week ahead of the talks.

“This could set us back to levels that we were trading at prior to the ceasefire announcement,” Twidale said. “I would think we will see oil open higher alongside the dollar.”

The two-week ceasefire, reached last week, is now in a fragile state. Pakistan, which hosted the talks, called them “constructive” and said it would continue facilitating discussions.

The war has killed more than 5,600 people across Iran, Lebanon, and neighboring countries. Thirteen American troops have died, according to U.S. Central Command.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said enriched nuclear material should be removed from Iran with or without a deal.