President Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy will begin blockading ships from entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz and intercept vessels that have paid tolls to Iran, after marathon talks in Pakistan failed to yield an agreement to end the war.

Mr. Trump also said he has instructed the Navy to "seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran," and that the U.S. would begin "destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits."

"Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!" he added.

At least two vessels that have traversed the strait have paid Iran fees in Chinese yuan to guarantee safe passage, analysts from Lloyd's List Intelligence said in a recent report. Analysts wrote that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "has imposed a de facto 'toll booth' regime in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to submit full documentation, obtain clearance codes and accept IRGC-escorted passage through a single controlled corridor." Iran has indicated that it might seek to impose a toll on all ships passing through the strait under a long-term peace deal.

"How is this not piracy?
#8 | Posted by Jpw"

I'm going to pretend that's a real question.

Enforcement of a naval blockade is not considered piracy as it is a lawful act under international law, provided it is conducted in accordance with established legal frameworks. Piracy, on the other hand, involves acts of robbery or violence at sea that are not authorized by any state.