The ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, have ended without an agreement. After 21 hours of negotiation, Vice President and lead negotiator JD Vance said, “we've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That's the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement.”
Vice President Vance said this is “bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America.”
“We've made very clear what our red lines are,” said Vice President Vance, “what things we're willing to accommodate [the Iranian regime] on, and what things we're not willing to accommodate them on.”
“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon,” said Vice President Vance.
“[A]nd they have chosen not to accept our terms.”
A fundamental part of a ceasefire with Iran was the promise to fully open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. But “they knowingly failed to do so,” said President Donald Trump in a social media post. “This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World. They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?”
In response, President Trump ordered U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, to implement a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting April 13. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Notably, CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
The U.S. navy will begin destroying any mines the Iranians laid in the Strait. President Trump also instructed the navy to seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” declared President Trump, honoring an American commitment to freedom of the seas that goes back to President Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates.
President Trump warned that any Iranian who fires at the United States navy, or at peaceful vessels, “will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
As President Trump made clear. The ultimate goal remains the same: “Iran will NOT have a nuclear weapon.”