Donald Trump has rejected reports suggesting that Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir advised him on a proposed naval blockade targeting Iran.
Speaking to The Hill, Trump said Munir “didn’t recommend anything” regarding the blockade and defended the policy as highly effective. He claimed the measure was inflicting significant economic pressure on Tehran.
“The blockade is very powerful, very strong. They lose $500 million a day with the blockade up,” Trump stated, adding that the United States maintained full control over the strategic waterway involved.
The remarks followed earlier reports, cited by Anadolu Agency, suggesting that Munir had described the blockade as an obstacle to diplomatic negotiations with Iran during a phone call with Trump. Those reports also indicated that Trump had agreed to consider the suggestion.
The discussion reportedly took place ahead of a potential second round of US-Iran negotiations scheduled to be held in Islamabad, where Pakistan continues to play a mediating role between Washington and Tehran.
Trump previously announced that American officials would travel to Islamabad for renewed talks, although Iran has not confirmed participation and has reportedly demanded the lifting of the blockade as a condition.
The delegation is expected to include US Vice President JD Vance along with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding their movements, with some outlets suggesting that Vance may still be in Washington.
Pakistan previously hosted initial US-Iran talks on April 11–12, marking the first direct high-level engagement between the two countries since diplomatic relations were severed in 1979. Those discussions ended without any agreement.
In a separate statement, Trump dismissed Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s forecast that fuel prices would remain high until next year, calling the assessment “totally wrong” and insisting prices would fall once tensions related to Iran are resolved.
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