THE NEW YORK TIMES: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they were closing the strait until the U.S. blockade is lifted. Two ships reported being hit as they tried to pass through the strait.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Saturday declared it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, the nation’s state media said, shortly after two Indian-flagged ships reported coming under fire while they were trying to pass through.
Just a day before, the Iranian foreign minister said it was reopened, according to state media. President Trump also said the strait was open but left in place an American blockade on ships from Iranian ports. That seemed to raise the ire of the Guards, who said Saturday the strait would remain closed until the U.S. lifted its blockade.
The back and forth added to the fear and confusion looming over a narrow waterway that has become the central focus in the effort to end the war.
On Saturday, India summoned the Iranian ambassador about what it called “a serious incident” involving two Indian-flagged ships that were fired on. TankerTrackers.com, a company that monitors oil shipments, said two Indian-flagged vessels sailing through the strait had turned around. Iran War Live Updates » | Lynsey Chutel, Euan Ward,Leily Nikounazar and Somini Sengupta | Saturday, April 19, 2026
Showing posts with label Strait of Hormuz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strait of Hormuz. Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Iran’s Military Says It Has Reimposed ‘Strict Control’ of Strait of Hormuz
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The military said it would keep the vital waterway under its control until the U.S. ended its blockade of Iranian ports. The statement added to the uncertainty over access to the strait.
Iran said Saturday that it had reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz because the United States was maintaining a naval blockade, just hours after Iranian officials and President Trump had said that the critical waterway was open, raising hopes for an end to the six-week war.
The announcement added more confusion to the status of transit through the strait, where Iran had choked global energy supplies by menacing nearby ships during the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s military, in a statement carried by government media, said it was now “under strict control” unless the United States ended its own blockade of Iranian ports.
A day earlier, Iran’s foreign minister called the strait “completely open.” At the same time, however, Iranian officials had insisted ships would still need Iranian permission and must travel an Iranian-designated route.
Nonetheless, Mr. Trump framed the Iranian announcement as a breakthrough and presented the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran as all but concluded. He immediately added, however, that the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports would remain in place until a deal was reached to end the war.
The president has often made overly optimistic claims about the war, which began in late February. Although Mr. Trump expressed confidence late Friday about the negotiations with Iran that he said would be happening over the weekend, no new face-to-face talks were announced as of Saturday morning.
Mr. Trump also claimed in a phone interview with CBS that Iran had “agreed to everything.” But Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, quickly denied Iran had agreed to any of their adversaries’ core demands.
The announcement of the strait’s reopening brought immediate relief to energy markets on Friday, sending international oil prices tumbling to around $90 a barrel.
Hopes for an end to the war were boosted by the 10-day cease-fire in Lebanon that went into effect on Friday. The deal prompted celebrations in Lebanon as thousands of displaced families made their way home, and there was heavy traffic again Saturday morning as people continued to head south.
Iran had demanded the truce with the United States extend to Lebanon as a condition for a broader deal. Mr. Trump and U.S. officials worked to make that happen, even as they denied they were trying to meet Iran’s conditions. Iran War Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman, John Yoon, Ashley Ahn, Pranav Baskar and Rawan Sheikh Ahmad | Saturday, April 18, 2026
Iran said Saturday that it had reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz because the United States was maintaining a naval blockade, just hours after Iranian officials and President Trump had said that the critical waterway was open, raising hopes for an end to the six-week war.
The announcement added more confusion to the status of transit through the strait, where Iran had choked global energy supplies by menacing nearby ships during the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s military, in a statement carried by government media, said it was now “under strict control” unless the United States ended its own blockade of Iranian ports.
A day earlier, Iran’s foreign minister called the strait “completely open.” At the same time, however, Iranian officials had insisted ships would still need Iranian permission and must travel an Iranian-designated route.
Nonetheless, Mr. Trump framed the Iranian announcement as a breakthrough and presented the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran as all but concluded. He immediately added, however, that the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports would remain in place until a deal was reached to end the war.
The president has often made overly optimistic claims about the war, which began in late February. Although Mr. Trump expressed confidence late Friday about the negotiations with Iran that he said would be happening over the weekend, no new face-to-face talks were announced as of Saturday morning.
Mr. Trump also claimed in a phone interview with CBS that Iran had “agreed to everything.” But Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, quickly denied Iran had agreed to any of their adversaries’ core demands.
The announcement of the strait’s reopening brought immediate relief to energy markets on Friday, sending international oil prices tumbling to around $90 a barrel.
Hopes for an end to the war were boosted by the 10-day cease-fire in Lebanon that went into effect on Friday. The deal prompted celebrations in Lebanon as thousands of displaced families made their way home, and there was heavy traffic again Saturday morning as people continued to head south.
Iran had demanded the truce with the United States extend to Lebanon as a condition for a broader deal. Mr. Trump and U.S. officials worked to make that happen, even as they denied they were trying to meet Iran’s conditions. Iran War Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman, John Yoon, Ashley Ahn, Pranav Baskar and Rawan Sheikh Ahmad | Saturday, April 18, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz ‘Completely Open’ to Commercial Vessels as Oil Prices Fall
THE GUARDIAN: Trump claims Tehran will also suspend nuclear programme as Lebanon truce enters first full day
Iran’s foreign minister has said that the strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, reinforcing hopes for an eventual end to the war in the Middle East and sending oil prices tumbling despite analysts’ warnings that there will be no immediate widespread resumption of passage through the vital waterway.
In a barrage of social media posts, Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Iran had agreed never to close the strategic waterway again, hailing “A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!”
However, Abbas Araghchi’s pledge was given only qualified support by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has reinforced its already powerful authority in Tehran during the war.
Trump also said that Iran had agreed to indefinitely suspend its nuclear programme, and would not receive any frozen funds from the US. In an interview with Bloomberg, he said that talks over a deal to end the war would “probably” be held this weekend.
Separately, the US president told Reuters that Washington would work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust” that would be retrieved at “a nice leisurely pace” and moved to the US. Iranian authorities made no immediate comment on the claim, but Tehran has long asserted that its right to enrich uranium inside the country is sacrosanct. » | Jason Burke and William Christou in Beirut | Friday, April 17, 2026
Iran’s foreign minister has said that the strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, reinforcing hopes for an eventual end to the war in the Middle East and sending oil prices tumbling despite analysts’ warnings that there will be no immediate widespread resumption of passage through the vital waterway.
In a barrage of social media posts, Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Iran had agreed never to close the strategic waterway again, hailing “A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!”
However, Abbas Araghchi’s pledge was given only qualified support by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has reinforced its already powerful authority in Tehran during the war.
Trump also said that Iran had agreed to indefinitely suspend its nuclear programme, and would not receive any frozen funds from the US. In an interview with Bloomberg, he said that talks over a deal to end the war would “probably” be held this weekend.
Separately, the US president told Reuters that Washington would work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust” that would be retrieved at “a nice leisurely pace” and moved to the US. Iranian authorities made no immediate comment on the claim, but Tehran has long asserted that its right to enrich uranium inside the country is sacrosanct. » | Jason Burke and William Christou in Beirut | Friday, April 17, 2026
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Democracy Now! Hormuz Crisis "Only Going to Get More Horrific Before It Gets Any Better": Prof. Laleh Khalili
Apr 16, 2026 | The U.S. implemented a naval blockade on Iran earlier this week. Laleh Khalili, a professor of Gulf studies who researches the shipping and logistics industry and its impact on the global economy says it could lead the U.S. military to begin “firing on ships that it assumes are Iranian or carrying oil from Iran or other cargo to Iran.” Iran, in response, could “interpret this as a belligerent action,” ending the fragile ceasefire agreed to by both parties. “Iran is going to defend itself against this imperial imposition, and how it's going to do that remains to be seen.”
Meanwhile, explains Khalili, shipping disruptions in the Gulf have affected the supply chains of key resources including oil, aluminum, helium and fertilizer. "Transportation costs are going to be higher, so food prices are going to be higher; people's MRIs are going to be scheduled out by six months … semiconductor manufacturing is going to be affected," Khalili says. "The crisis is only going to get more horrific before it gets any better."
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Meanwhile, explains Khalili, shipping disruptions in the Gulf have affected the supply chains of key resources including oil, aluminum, helium and fertilizer. "Transportation costs are going to be higher, so food prices are going to be higher; people's MRIs are going to be scheduled out by six months … semiconductor manufacturing is going to be affected," Khalili says. "The crisis is only going to get more horrific before it gets any better."
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Hegseth Says U.S. Is Poised to Resume Combat if Talks Fail
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and threatened more attacks. The war’s mounting economic toll has put political pressure on President Trump to find an off-ramp.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday threatened U.S. attacks on Iran’s power plants and other energy sites if its leaders did not agree to a peace deal, less than a week before a temporary cease-fire is set to expire.
Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, Mr. Hegseth repeatedly urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and said an American naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue “as long as it takes.” The Trump administration has alternated between assuring Americans that a peace deal was within reach and threatening Iran’s leadership if it does not comply, as the war’s economic toll has put President Trump under increasing political pressure at home.
“If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy,” Mr. Hegseth said. Under international law, intentionally targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.
Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the news conference that U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific could be ordered to intercept ships trying to resupply Iran, which would broaden the naval blockade beyond the Middle East.
Iran threatened on Wednesday to halt all trade in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea in response to the blockade. It was unclear how much control Iran could exert over shipping in the region. Its battered armed forces can still use mines and fast boats to harass ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Its allies in Yemen, the Houthi militia, have also shown they can attack shipping in the Red Sea. Iran War Live Updates » | Eric Schmitt, John Ismay, Elian Peltier and Aurelien Breeden | Thursday, April 16, 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday threatened U.S. attacks on Iran’s power plants and other energy sites if its leaders did not agree to a peace deal, less than a week before a temporary cease-fire is set to expire.
Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, Mr. Hegseth repeatedly urged Iran’s leaders to “choose wisely” and said an American naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue “as long as it takes.” The Trump administration has alternated between assuring Americans that a peace deal was within reach and threatening Iran’s leadership if it does not comply, as the war’s economic toll has put President Trump under increasing political pressure at home.
“If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy,” Mr. Hegseth said. Under international law, intentionally targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.
Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the news conference that U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific could be ordered to intercept ships trying to resupply Iran, which would broaden the naval blockade beyond the Middle East.
Iran threatened on Wednesday to halt all trade in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea in response to the blockade. It was unclear how much control Iran could exert over shipping in the region. Its battered armed forces can still use mines and fast boats to harass ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Its allies in Yemen, the Houthi militia, have also shown they can attack shipping in the Red Sea. Iran War Live Updates » | Eric Schmitt, John Ismay, Elian Peltier and Aurelien Breeden | Thursday, April 16, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Jeffrey Sachs: Trump's Naval Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
China Calls Trump’s Hormuz Blockade ‘Dangerous and Irresponsible’
THE TELEGRAPH: China condemned the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as “dangerous and irresponsible” after Donald Trump threatened to sink any boats that defy it.
The blockade came into force on Monday after peace talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed in Pakistan, although a fragile ceasefire still holds.
“The US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the strait,” Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters.
“This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour,” he added. » | Iona Cleave. Chanel Zagon. Kelly-Anne Taylor | Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The blockade came into force on Monday after peace talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed in Pakistan, although a fragile ceasefire still holds.
“The US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the strait,” Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters.
“This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour,” he added. » | Iona Cleave. Chanel Zagon. Kelly-Anne Taylor | Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Trump’s Pope Spat Is a Serious Error with His Key Supporters | David Charter
Apr 14, 2026 | "He’s back-pedalling as fast as he can."
Trump has made a major "misstep" by picking a fight with the Pope, drawing "a lot of criticism" from people who are usually supportive, says The Times’s David Charter.
Trump has made a major "misstep" by picking a fight with the Pope, drawing "a lot of criticism" from people who are usually supportive, says The Times’s David Charter.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Trump Says Iranian Ships Will Be ‘Eliminated’ as US Naval Blockade Begins
AL JAZEERA: Iran describes the siege against its ports as the US president’s ‘revenge of choice’ against the global economy.
Iran has suggested that the United States’ blockade on Iranian ports will only hurt the interntional economy after President Donald Trump ordered a naval siege against the country.
“Can an illegal ‘war of choice’ be won through a ‘revenge of choice’ against the global economy?!” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday. “Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!”
Trump had warned Iranian military ships from approaching the blockade zone.
“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
The blockade, which Trump announced on Sunday after US and Iranian negotiators failed to reach a deal after a round of talks in Pakistan, came into effect on Monday at 10am in Washington, DC (14:00 GMT). » | Al Jazeera Staff | Monday, April 13, 2026
Iran has suggested that the United States’ blockade on Iranian ports will only hurt the interntional economy after President Donald Trump ordered a naval siege against the country.
“Can an illegal ‘war of choice’ be won through a ‘revenge of choice’ against the global economy?!” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday. “Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!”
Trump had warned Iranian military ships from approaching the blockade zone.
“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
The blockade, which Trump announced on Sunday after US and Iranian negotiators failed to reach a deal after a round of talks in Pakistan, came into effect on Monday at 10am in Washington, DC (14:00 GMT). » | Al Jazeera Staff | Monday, April 13, 2026
Britain Will Not Join U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz, Starmer Says
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K.’s diplomatic efforts are directed at keeping the vital waterway “open, not shut.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain was blunt on Monday morning. His country is “not supporting” President Trump’s threatened military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran broke down over the weekend.
The prime minister told the BBC in a radio interview that he was focused on “bringing countries together to keep the straits open, not shut,” adding that “it is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”
But Mr. Starmer refused to blame Mr. Trump personally for rising energy costs in Britain, saying that it was Iran that had driven up the price of oil by making the strait too dangerous for cargo ships to travel through.
After the host of the radio show pointed out repeatedly that Iran’s actions were in response to Mr. Trump’s decision to launch the war in the first place, Mr. Starmer finally said, simply: “I mean, I’m not, look, I’m not going to get involved in that.”
The interview put on display the longstanding challenge for Mr. Starmer in dealing with Mr. Trump and his chaotic foreign policy.
On the one hand, Mr. Starmer’s refusal to join the American and Israeli-led war in Iran has triggered Mr. Trump’s ire. The prime minister has said he will not give in to “pressure” from the president to drag Britain into another conflict in the Middle East.
The decision to stand up to Mr. Trump appears to be popular in Britain, where Mr. Starmer’s low poll ratings have picked up slightly. » | Michael D. Shear | Reporting from London | Monday, April 13, 2026
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain was blunt on Monday morning. His country is “not supporting” President Trump’s threatened military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran broke down over the weekend.
The prime minister told the BBC in a radio interview that he was focused on “bringing countries together to keep the straits open, not shut,” adding that “it is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”
But Mr. Starmer refused to blame Mr. Trump personally for rising energy costs in Britain, saying that it was Iran that had driven up the price of oil by making the strait too dangerous for cargo ships to travel through.
After the host of the radio show pointed out repeatedly that Iran’s actions were in response to Mr. Trump’s decision to launch the war in the first place, Mr. Starmer finally said, simply: “I mean, I’m not, look, I’m not going to get involved in that.”
The interview put on display the longstanding challenge for Mr. Starmer in dealing with Mr. Trump and his chaotic foreign policy.
On the one hand, Mr. Starmer’s refusal to join the American and Israeli-led war in Iran has triggered Mr. Trump’s ire. The prime minister has said he will not give in to “pressure” from the president to drag Britain into another conflict in the Middle East.
The decision to stand up to Mr. Trump appears to be popular in Britain, where Mr. Starmer’s low poll ratings have picked up slightly. » | Michael D. Shear | Reporting from London | Monday, April 13, 2026
Trump Imposes US Blockade on Strait of Hormuz After Failed Peace Talks with Iran | BBC News
Donald Trump has said the US will blockade the strait of Hormuz, in order to take control of the key shipping lane from Iran, after the failure of peace negotiations between the two countries in Pakistan.
US Central Command announced the operation would begin on Monday morning, stating: “Centcom forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10am ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”.
The head of Iran’s navy called the US blockade threat “ridiculous and funny”, according to state TV.
President Trump also repeated earlier threats to bomb Iran’s power plants, water treatment facilities and bridges, if Tehran does not agree to give up its nuclear weapons programme.
It follows the collapse of high-level peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan. The US vice president JD Vance, who led the US team, said Iran had refused to agree that it could never develop nuclear weapons.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood and Lyse Doucet.
US Central Command announced the operation would begin on Monday morning, stating: “Centcom forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10am ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”.
The head of Iran’s navy called the US blockade threat “ridiculous and funny”, according to state TV.
President Trump also repeated earlier threats to bomb Iran’s power plants, water treatment facilities and bridges, if Tehran does not agree to give up its nuclear weapons programme.
It follows the collapse of high-level peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan. The US vice president JD Vance, who led the US team, said Iran had refused to agree that it could never develop nuclear weapons.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood and Lyse Doucet.
US Strait of Hormuz Blockade ‘Could Work but Won’t End War’
Apr 13, 2026 | “This thing is on a trigger edge.”
It’s “very possible” President Trump’s declaration of a US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz will work but it’s “risky” and unlikely to succeed in ending the war, says Steve Erlanger, New York Times chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe.
It’s “very possible” President Trump’s declaration of a US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz will work but it’s “risky” and unlikely to succeed in ending the war, says Steve Erlanger, New York Times chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe.
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Trump’s Threat to Block Strait of Hormuz Faces ‘Serious Problems’ | Yassamine Mather
Apr 12, 2026 | “I don’t think the current administration listens to those who understand Iran.”
Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz could backfire by dividing allies, while Iran remains defiant, driven by national pride,and unwilling to “lose face” on nuclear enrichment, says Iran expert from the University of Oxford’s Middle East centre Yassamine Mather.
Would somebody be kind enough to explain to me why Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons when Israel is allowed to have them? Why the double standard? It cannot be said that Israel can be allowed nuclear weapons because of its responsible behaviour. The genocide in Gaza proves that Israel under Netanyahu’s government is anything but responsible. So, what makes leaders like Trump think that the Iranian government would be even less responsible than the Israeli government? For truly, it seems hard for me to imagine that it is even possible for any government to behave more irresponsibly than Netanyahu and his government have in Gaza. So many innocent people have perished, among them so many innocent children, and the world has just looked away. — © Mark Alexander
Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz could backfire by dividing allies, while Iran remains defiant, driven by national pride,and unwilling to “lose face” on nuclear enrichment, says Iran expert from the University of Oxford’s Middle East centre Yassamine Mather.
Would somebody be kind enough to explain to me why Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons when Israel is allowed to have them? Why the double standard? It cannot be said that Israel can be allowed nuclear weapons because of its responsible behaviour. The genocide in Gaza proves that Israel under Netanyahu’s government is anything but responsible. So, what makes leaders like Trump think that the Iranian government would be even less responsible than the Israeli government? For truly, it seems hard for me to imagine that it is even possible for any government to behave more irresponsibly than Netanyahu and his government have in Gaza. So many innocent people have perished, among them so many innocent children, and the world has just looked away. — © Mark Alexander
Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Blockade’ Strait of Hormuz After Peace Talks Fail
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that marathon talks between the United States and Iran had failed to immediately produce a deal to fully reopen the strait and end the war. Iran’s top negotiator had suggested further talks were possible.
President Trump said Sunday that the United States will enforce a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stepping up pressure on Iran after marathon peace talks between top Iranian and American leaders in Pakistan ended without a breakthrough.
The announcement by Mr. Trump plunged the already brittle truce into further uncertainty. Vice President JD Vance and the chief Iranian negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, met in Pakistan over the weekend, but did not reach a deal to fully reopen the strait and end the war. A naval blockade could be considered an act of war by Iran.
“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” Mr. Trump wrote in one of two lengthy social media posts on the talks.
Mr. Trump had conditioned the two-week cease-fire on Iran ending its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and gas in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s own blockade of the strait sent global oil prices soaring by more than 50 percent during the monthlong conflict, which began in late February.
In practice, however, only a few ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the cease-fire came into effect last Tuesday. U.S. officials blame Iran, which they say has sought to impose tolls on ships passing through the waterway. Mr. Trump said the U.S. Navy would “seek and interdict” any vessel that paid the fee to Iran.
Iran’s leaders have given no indication that they intend to relax their control of the waterway, which they view as a crucial bargaining chip. In a defiant post on social media earlier on Sunday, Ali Akbar Velayati, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, said “the key” to the Strait of Hormuz “is firmly in our hands.” Iran War Live Updates » | Tyler Pager, Aaron Boxerman and Isabel Kershner | Tyler Pager reported from Islamabad, Pakistan. | Sunday, April 12, 2026
President Trump said Sunday that the United States will enforce a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stepping up pressure on Iran after marathon peace talks between top Iranian and American leaders in Pakistan ended without a breakthrough.
The announcement by Mr. Trump plunged the already brittle truce into further uncertainty. Vice President JD Vance and the chief Iranian negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, met in Pakistan over the weekend, but did not reach a deal to fully reopen the strait and end the war. A naval blockade could be considered an act of war by Iran.
“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” Mr. Trump wrote in one of two lengthy social media posts on the talks.
Mr. Trump had conditioned the two-week cease-fire on Iran ending its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and gas in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s own blockade of the strait sent global oil prices soaring by more than 50 percent during the monthlong conflict, which began in late February.
In practice, however, only a few ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the cease-fire came into effect last Tuesday. U.S. officials blame Iran, which they say has sought to impose tolls on ships passing through the waterway. Mr. Trump said the U.S. Navy would “seek and interdict” any vessel that paid the fee to Iran.
Iran’s leaders have given no indication that they intend to relax their control of the waterway, which they view as a crucial bargaining chip. In a defiant post on social media earlier on Sunday, Ali Akbar Velayati, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, said “the key” to the Strait of Hormuz “is firmly in our hands.” Iran War Live Updates » | Tyler Pager, Aaron Boxerman and Isabel Kershner | Tyler Pager reported from Islamabad, Pakistan. | Sunday, April 12, 2026
Friday, April 10, 2026
Steve Schmidt: Trump Misplayed the War in Iran. Melania Lied about Epstein.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Melania an illegal immigrant? Didn’t she work in America before obtaining her proper papers? — © Mark Alexander
Iran Will Not Back Down on Maximum Control over Strait of Hormuz Demands
Apr 10, 2026 | “They will be trying to secure confirmation of Iran’s ability, or right, to do whatever it wants in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran is “an extremely tough negotiator” and will likely try to secure “maximum advantage” over the Strait of Hormuz, including imposing tolls, says former British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould.
Iran is “an extremely tough negotiator” and will likely try to secure “maximum advantage” over the Strait of Hormuz, including imposing tolls, says former British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould.
Trump Says Iran's Handling of Strait of Hormuz Is 'Not the Agreement We Have' | BBC News
Apr 10, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of doing a "very poor job" in handling oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing it was "not the agreement we have".
It comes as the ceasefire between the US and Iran was agreed earlier this week, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aiming to begin direct talks with Lebanon for peaceful relations.
A US State Department official confirmed it would host a meeting next week in Washington "to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon".
After Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon throughout Thursday, Trump said that Israel would be "scaling back" its strikes in the country to support peace talks.
It comes as the ceasefire between the US and Iran was agreed earlier this week, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aiming to begin direct talks with Lebanon for peaceful relations.
A US State Department official confirmed it would host a meeting next week in Washington "to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon".
After Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon throughout Thursday, Trump said that Israel would be "scaling back" its strikes in the country to support peace talks.
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