IDF goes on high alert, prepares for resumption of war after Trump announces naval blockade of Iran

The Israel Defense Forces went on high alert Sunday afternoon, following the collapse of the ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan over the weekend, along with U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a dramatic statement, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “effective immediately,” the U.S. Navy would “begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”

Shortly afterward, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military to prepare for a possible renewed confrontation with Iran, including scenarios in which Iran could initiate a first strike, according to reports by Ynet News and Maariv.

“We are prepared for a renewal of the fighting both defensively and offensively. We are waiting for instructions from the political echelon,” a military source told Maariv.

Kan News cited a senior security official who said, “Israel is interested in renewing the war against Iran – and is waiting for a decision from Donald Trump.”

The president didn’t comment on the potential renewal or war, writing on Truth Social that “at an appropriate moment, we are fully ‘LOCKED AND LOADED,’ and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran.”

https://t.co/PSaltyXHlI pic.twitter.com/G005C1vbo5

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026

According to Ynet, the IDF has reactivated the same framework as it did before Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion, raising readiness across all IDF branches, shortening response times, and closing operational gaps to ensure readiness for immediate action.

Ynet also reported that the IDF and U.S. Central Command continue close coordination, while expecting any military action to be communicated between the governments in Jerusalem and Washington.

Israeli officials expressed no surprise at the failure of the talks, according to Ynet, and added that they were satisfied with the U.S. position that no deal is preferable to a bad agreement with the regime.

Israel was also updated ahead of Trump’s announcement about a naval blockade, i24 News reported.

Speaking to reporters before the U.S. delegation departed Islamabad, Pakistan, Vice President JD Vance warned that the lack of an agreement is “bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news” for the United States.

In two long posts on Truth Social, Trump explained that there was agreement on “most points” except for the “only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR.”

As part of the blockade, Trump said he instructed the U.S. Navy “to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.”

“We will also 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!”

In a follow-up post, Trump said the “anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World” caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz stemmed from the regime’s claim that it had mined the waterway.

“They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their “mine droppers,” have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?”

However, Trump closed by emphasizing that the most important goal for the U.S. remains to end the regime’s nuclear program: “There is only one thing that matters – IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!”

.@POTUS: "They haven't left the bargaining table. I predict they come back, and they give us everything we want—and I told my people, I want everything. I don't want 90%, I don't want 95%. I told them, I want everything. They have no cards." pic.twitter.com/LeGu9z6weO

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026

Trump stressed this point during an interview with the Fox Business Channel later on Sunday.

“I predict they come back and give us everything we want… I don’t want 95 percent. I told them. I want everything.” He also vowed that the blockade would start “in a little while, but it’ll be effective pretty soon.”

“We’re going to clean out the strait,” he promised, “They’re not going to be able to use the strait in not too long a distance.”