On the evening of April 12, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the implementation of a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global energy resources and is under Iranian control. This decision came in response to the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad, during which the parties could not reach an agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
This is reported by Business • Media
Details of the Blockade and Positions of the Parties
Donald Trump declared that from now on, no vessel will be allowed to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz without permission, and he threatened ships that have paid the Iranian side for passage. The President emphasized that he has instructed the U.S. Navy to seek out and intercept every vessel that has paid the Iranian toll. It is known that the amount of the Iranian fee is $1 per barrel, and it must be paid in cryptocurrency.
“So, the meeting went well, most issues were agreed upon, but the only truly important point, the nuclear one, remained unresolved. From now on, the U.S. Navy, the best in the world, will begin the process of blockade for all vessels attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.”
Trump also stated that other countries may join the blockade, which will begin shortly. For its part, the Iranian authorities are considering the possibility of imposing fees not only on energy resources but on all cargo passing through the strait.
The U.S. insists that the failure of the negotiations is linked to Iran’s unwillingness to abandon its nuclear program. At the same time, the Iranian side, through the state company IRIB, stated that consensus could not be reached due to the “unreasonable demands” of the U.S.
Impact on Financial and Crypto Markets
The announcement of the blockade and the escalation of tensions in the Middle East immediately affected financial markets. Global prices for Brent crude oil sharply increased — quotes exceeded $100 per barrel, showing an over 8% rise in a day.
The rise in energy resource costs and the worsening geopolitical situation are also putting pressure on the stock market: the S&P 500 index lost 0.11%. The crypto market also reacted, but the main correction occurred on April 12 after news of the failed negotiations.
Analyst Rachel Lucas from BTC Markets notes that Bitcoin needs to hold support in the range of $70,500–$71,000 to maintain its upward trend. If the influx of institutional capital continues, the next important zone will be $72,000–$73,000, which could ensure further growth.
Experts warn: further escalation in the region could lead to capital flight from risk assets, deepen market volatility, and create additional risks for investors worldwide.