President Donald Trump said Sunday night that a U.S.-backed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would begin Monday morning, while emphasizing that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and signaling little concern about whether negotiations resume.
Speaking to reporters, Trump outlined the planned restrictions on maritime traffic tied to Iranian oil exports, describing a coordinated effort by multiple countries aimed at cutting off Tehran’s ability to sell energy on the global market.
“As you know, at 10 o’clock tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect. Other nations are working so that Iran will not be able to sell oil, and that would be very effective..but there are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil and then go and take it. So they’re not going to go through the Hormuz Strait. And ultimately that’ll be corrected.”
.@POTUS: "At 10a tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect — that'll be 10a tomorrow. Other nations are working, so that Iran will not be able to sell oil and that will be very effective." pic.twitter.com/gNdAkW60Z8
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026
He added that, for now, foreign vessels are turning to U.S. supplies, pointing to increased domestic production as a factor allowing the shift.
“But in the meantime, they’re using us. We have more oil because of Drill Baby Drill. We have more oil than Russia and Saudi Arabia put together.
So if you look at Russia and Saudi Arabia, two big ones, we have much more oil than they have put together. And what’s happening is boats are coming over here, filling up. We don’t have to go through the Hormuz Strait.”
Addressing recent diplomatic efforts, Trump pointed to lengthy but unsuccessful discussions between American and Iranian representatives held in Pakistan over the weekend, portraying Tehran as weakened and under pressure.
“I think Iran is in very bad shape. I think they’re very desperate. We had a meeting that lasted 21 hours. We understand the situation better than anybody. And Iran’s in very bad shape,” Trump stated.
.@POTUS: "Iran is in very bad shape — and just so you understand, Iran will NOT have a nuclear weapon… There is no way. They still want it, and they made that clear the other night. Iran will NOT have a nuclear weapon." pic.twitter.com/Q15kbX5y2Z
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026
He reiterated that the administration would not permit Iran to obtain nuclear capabilities under any circumstances.
“And just so you understand, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. There is no way that they’re going to get it. They still want it. And they made that clear the other night. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also indicated that renewed negotiations were not a priority, suggesting that the U.S. holds the advantage following recent military and strategic developments.
“I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine. Their military is gone. Their missiles are largely depleted. The manufacturing capability for missiles and drones is largely defeated. We’ve been very nice. We haven’t ripped down too many bridges. We did one only because they broke their word, they broke their promise. And remember, their promise was that they were going to open the Hormuz Strait. They didn’t do it. They lied,” said Trump.
{Matzav.com}