Following the breakdown of rare high-level talks between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump has unveiled a significant escalation: a naval operation aimed at restricting vessels linked to Iranian ports.

This development comes despite a ceasefire reached on April 8 intended to temporarily halt weeks of fighting. In remarks shared on social media, Trump framed the operation as an effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz, remove maritime threats, and guarantee uninterrupted global shipping, while also accusing Iran of leveraging its influence over the vital waterway.

As naval forces prepare to intercept ships in contested waters, questions are mounting over the risks of escalation. Could a response from Tehran push the situation beyond containment?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Malminderjit Singh, Founder and Managing Director of Terra Corporate Affairs, to find out more.