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A convoy of ships, including the Callisto tanker, remains at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US-Israeli tensions with Iran, March 10, 2026, in Muscat, Oman—Reuters.
– Trump claims Iran is willing to negotiate.
– Iran warns it will retaliate against blockades.
– Oil prices surge back above $100 per barrel.
The U.S. military initiated a ship blockade from Iran’s ports on Monday, President Donald Trump announced. Tehran threatened retaliation against neighboring Gulf ports after peace talks over the weekend broke down. Oil prices climbed past the $100 mark once again, with no immediate signs of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has experienced unprecedented disruptions. Concerns remain about the durability of a ceasefire that was reached two weeks ago.
Trump stated that Iran had reached out on Monday, expressing interest in negotiations, but he emphasized that he would not accept any deal that allowed Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon. “Iran will not get a nuclear weapon,” Trump declared at the White House. “We cannot allow a country to blackmail or extort the world.”
Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has effectively blocked all vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz except its own, stating passage would only be granted under Iranian jurisdiction and for a fee. Trump earlier indicated that the U.S. would block Iranian ships and any vessels paying such tolls. Any Iranian “fast-attack” vessels approaching the blockade would be targeted and destroyed.
Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, warned that foreign military efforts to police the Strait would heighten the crisis and threaten global energy security. NATO allies, including Britain and France, stated they would steer clear of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of reopening the crucial waterway that normally transports about 20% of the world’s oil.
The ceasefire, which had halted six weeks of US and Israeli airstrikes, is now under strain with only one week remaining. U.S. officials reported that Tehran rejected recent demands during talks in Islamabad—the highest-level discussions since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S. Central Command clarified that the blockade would be enforced fairly against vessels from all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Two Iranian-affiliated tankers, Aurora and New Future, carrying oil products, exited the strait Monday ahead of the deadline, according to LSEG data. Iran’s military spokesperson called any U.S. restrictions on international shipping “piracy” and warned that threats to Iranian ports would compromise security across the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The Revolutionary Guards accused approaching military vessels of violating the ceasefire.
Trump claimed that Iran’s navy had been “completely destroyed” during the ongoing conflict, leaving only a handful of “fast-attack ships.”
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its bombardment of Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. On Monday, Israeli forces launched an assault to capture a southern Lebanon town from the group. Both Israel and the U.S. have stated that their campaign against Hezbollah is separate from the ceasefire, whereas Iran asserts it is part of the broader conflict.
Iran has presented new demands, including acknowledgment of its control over the waterway, lifting of sanctions, and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from bases across the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis following direct talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad over the weekend. Despite declaring victory, Trump failed to achieve initial goals such as preventing Iran from striking neighboring countries, dismantling its nuclear program, or enabling Iranians to overthrow their government.
Oil prices, which had eased somewhat after the ceasefire announcement last week, increased by roughly 6% on Monday, remaining above $100 per barrel despite some retreat from intraday highs.
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