Trump Talks Up Iran Blockade as Israel-Lebanon Truce Extended

US forces patrol the Arabian Sea on April 20.Source: US Navy

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By Paul Wallace, Dana Khraiche, and Eltaf Najafizada

April 24, 2026 at 8:08 AM UTC

The US increased pressure on Iran via its naval blockade, as it seeks to get Tehran to agree to talks, while Israel and Lebanon are set to extend a ceasefire for three weeks.

President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to shoot any boat putting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, after the military intercepted two oil supertankers that tried to evade restrictions on traffic to and from Iran’s ports.