The Iranian government has issued a defiant warning following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade, stating that any U.S. military vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be viewed as a breach of the standing ceasefire.

A spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared on Sunday that Iran maintains “full and intelligent control” over the waterway and that any perceived provocation would be “dealt with strongly.” The statement explicitly warned that military passage would be met with a “firm and decisive response,” effectively setting the stage for a potential high-seas confrontation.

This escalation comes on the heels of reports that a U.S. destroyer was warned by Iranian forces to turn back within 30 minutes or face being targeted. According to Iranian state media, the message was conveyed via Pakistani mediators currently hosting peace talks in Islamabad. Tehran claimed the vessel eventually halted its approach, an incident they cited as a “red line” violation.

Iranian officials have reiterated that while non-military commercial traffic is permitted under specific regulations, the presence of foreign warships constitutes an act of aggression that jeopardizes the fragile two-week truce.

In Washington, the White House has remained steadfast in its directive to enforce a “complete blockade.” President Trump, in his earlier interview with Maria Bartiromo, emphasized that the U.S. would not only block Iranian logistics but also interdict any vessels attempting to pay what he termed an “illegal toll” to Tehran for passage. The administration argues that the blockade is a necessary reaction to the failure of recent negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and its continued maritime restrictions. “We will begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits,” Trump stated, signaling a clear intent to clear the waterway by force if necessary.

International mediators in Islamabad expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation, noting that the “near-miss” involving the U.S. destroyer almost derailed the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Pakistani officials described the weekend as a marathon of “indirect talks” aimed at preventing a total return to hostilities. However, with Iran demanding war compensation and the release of frozen assets as part of any lasting agreement, the gap between the two nations appears to be widening as military assets on both sides move into strike positions.

As of Sunday evening, global energy markets have reacted sharply to the news, with oil prices spiking amid fears of a prolonged closure of the world’s most vital oil transit point. Military analysts warn that the IRGC’s “strong confrontation” could involve the use of drone swarms and anti-ship missiles, which are heavily stationed along the Iranian coastline. With both the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the IRGC Navy on high alert, the next 24 hours are seen as a critical window that will determine if the regional ceasefire survives or collapses into a direct kinetic conflict.