[US-Israel, Iran War Day #61] Trump to Prolonge Iran Blockade as Talks Falter and Oil Rises

In Brief…

• President Donald Trump told Axios that he would keep Iran under a naval blockade until Tehran agreed to a deal, calling the blockade “somewhat more effective than the bombing.”
• President Donald Trump said Iran was failing to reach a nonnuclear deal and warned it should “get smart soon” in a Truth Social post.
• The UN said at least 21 people had been executed and more than 4,000 arrested in Iran since the war began, many linked to the January 2026 protests.
• US President Donald Trump told aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports, the Wall Street Journal reported, as talks remain stalled and oil prices keep rising.
• Trump said Iran was in a “state of collapse” and wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened, while insisting Tehran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
• US Treasury expanded sanctions on Iran’s shadow banking, oil, crypto and procurement networks, and warned firms against paying Iran or the IRGC “tolls” for Hormuz passage.

This is a developing story that HO1 will continue to monitor.
Check back for updates.

[UPDATE] Putin does not want nuclear-armed Iran, Trump says