President Donald Trump declared Sunday that Iran’s naval forces have been effectively wiped out, just hours before a U.S.-led blockade targeting Tehran’s energy lifelines is set to begin.
“Their military is destroyed,” Trump said after stepping off Air Force One in Maryland. “Their whole Navy is underwater… 158 ships are gone.”
The president framed the moment as a turning point in the escalating conflict tied to Operation Epic Fury, with pressure now shifting from direct strikes to economic choke points.
“At 10 tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect,” Trump said, signaling a coordinated effort to cut off Iran’s ability to sell oil.
The strategy centers on the critical shipping corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy artery long viewed as a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran tensions.
Trump argued the pressure campaign is already reshaping global energy flows.
“There are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil and then go and take it,” he said, touting U.S. energy independence as a strategic advantage.
But the president didn’t stop at Tehran.
He turned his fire toward NATO, accusing the alliance of failing to support the United States during the Iran confrontation — and warning that America’s commitment could soon be reevaluated.
“But I’m very disappointed in NATO,” Trump said. “They weren’t there for us.”
Trump argued that while some allies are now offering support, it comes too late to matter.
“Now they want to come up, but there’s no real threat anymore,” he added.
.@POTUS: "I'm very disappointed in NATO. They weren't there for us. We pay trillions of dollars for NATO and they weren't there for us… I think that's going to be under very serious examination." pic.twitter.com/DQucB5gGTh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026
The criticism taps into a long-running grievance.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the U.S. bears a disproportionate financial burden for NATO’s defense posture — particularly in countering Russia — and has floated the possibility of pulling back American support altogether.
More over at Fox News:
President Trump voices frustration with NATO, says Iranian navy ‘destroyed’ as US preps for blockadehttps://t.co/7EEKj85oP5
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 13, 2026
