On Monday, President Donald Trump made a bold statement claiming that the Iranian navy has been "completely obliterated" following the sinking of 158 vessels.
The announcement was made on the social media platform Truth Social, coinciding with the failure of peace talks in Islamabad and the implementation of a U.S. naval blockade on "any and all ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz."
"The Iranian Navy is resting at the ocean's bottom, completely destroyed: 158 ships," Trump declared, aligning his message with the commencement of the naval blockade, which became effective at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday.
The president issued a stern warning that the so-called Iranian "fast attack boats," which have not been targeted so far, will be destroyed if they approach the U.S. blockade.
"If any of these boats approach our BLOCKADE, they will be ELIMINATED instantly, using the same eradication system we employ against drug traffickers at sea. It's swift and ruthless," Trump asserted.
This announcement follows a day after the collapse of the highest-level discussions between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The talks, facilitated by Pakistan and held on April 11 and 12, lasted 21 hours without reaching a consensus.
The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, alongside Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while the Iranian side was headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The primary point of contention was the nuclear program: Washington demanded a complete dismantling of uranium enrichment, a demand Tehran refused to concede.
"We haven't reached an agreement... They chose not to accept our terms," Vance commented after the breakdown of discussions, adding that this was worse news for Iran than it was for the United States.
Trump, on the other hand, described the talks as a "good meeting, except for the nuclear weapons" issue.
The naval blockade announced by Trump targets only those ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, according to U.S. Central Command, with the goal of halting Iran's oil exports and pressuring China, its primary buyer.
The dismantling of the Iranian navy has been occurring progressively since the onset of Operation Epic Fury, initiated on February 28, 2026, by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
Central Command reported the destruction of 11 vessels in the Gulf of Oman on March 3, over 60 boats including 16 mine-layers near the Strait of Hormuz between March 11 and 12, and more than 90 ships in the Persian Gulf on March 18.
In response, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz on March 4 using mines, drones, and missiles, stranding approximately 2,000 ships with 20,000 sailors and halting 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, causing the price of Brent crude to soar from $67 to over $126 per barrel.
Trump also boasted in his message that 98.2% of drugs entering the U.S. via sea routes have been intercepted, linking both naval operations.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the chief negotiator with the U.S., shared a map of gasoline prices in the Washington area on social media, commenting, "Enjoy the current prices at the pump. With the so-called blockade, you'll soon miss gasoline at $4 or $5."
Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators are continuing efforts to arrange another round of negotiations before April 21, when the current ceasefire is set to expire.
Understanding the U.S.-Iran Tensions
What led to the naval blockade imposed by the United States?
The U.S. imposed a naval blockade following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad and to pressure Iran by cutting off its oil exports, aiming to exert influence on China's buying patterns.
How has Iran responded to the blockade?
In retaliation, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz using mines, drones, and missiles, affecting global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies significantly.
What was the outcome of the U.S.-Iran peace talks?
The talks ended without an agreement, primarily due to disagreements over Iran's nuclear program, with the U.S. demanding a halt to uranium enrichment.