US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that American forces will "immediately eliminate" any Iranian vessels approaching the newly established US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade, which took effect Monday, specifically restricts maritime access to Iranian ports and coastal facilities. Trump claimed Iran's primary naval forces are already "obliterated" but stated the US is prepared to sink its remaining fast attack ships. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the enforcement of these restrictions, which followed the collapse of negotiations between US and Iranian delegations.

President Trump warns US Navy will sink Iranian vessels approaching the new Strait of Hormuz blockade, escalating regional tensions.

In a sharp escalation of regional tensions, US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Tehran on Monday, asserting that the American military is prepared to sink any Iranian vessels that approach the newly established naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The President claimed that while the Iranian navy has been significantly degraded, the US has yet to target its smaller, high-speed vessels.

He cautioned that should these craft interfere with the blockade, the US Navy would employ the same aggressive tactics used to intercept maritime narcotics traffickers.

"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea. It is quick and brutal," Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.

In his social media address, the President further alleged that Iran's primary naval forces had already been "completely obliterated" but noted that the US had not yet "sunk its fast attack ships."

This warning coincided with the official commencement of the American naval blockade, which took effect at 10 am EDT on Monday following the expiry of a deadline established by the White House.

Confirming the start of the operation, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated it has received reports that "maritime access restrictions are being enforced, affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz."

The UKMTO noted that these access restrictions apply without distinction to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities.