13.04.2026 11:40
U.S. President Trump has set his sights on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy will begin a naval blockade against Iranian ports starting at 5:00 PM today. While no results emerged from the talks in Islamabad, there have been a series of strong statements from the Iranian side. As tensions rise between the parties, the crisis is expected to impact global energy markets.
Tensions between the US and Iran have reached a critical threshold. US President Donald Trump announced the timing of the naval blockade to be implemented in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran responded harshly.
TRUMP GAVE A TIME: BLOCKADE BEGINS
Following the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Trump also stated on his social media account, "The US will impose a blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports as of April 13 at 5:00 PM."
It was noted that this step was taken after the failure of talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the risk posed to the fragile ceasefire.
BLOCKADE WILL COVER ALL IRANIAN PORTS
The blockade to be implemented by the US is expected to cover all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, it was stated that ships heading to ports outside of Iran would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Navy announced that official notifications would be made to commercial vessels before the blockade.
"THOSE WHO FIRE WILL BE SENT TO HELL"
Trump previously sent a strong message to Iran, stating, "No ship paying illegal tolls will be able to pass safely. Any Iranian who fires at us or peaceful vessels will be sent to hell."
IRAN: "IT WILL BE CONSIDERED A CEASEFIRE VIOLATION"
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that military vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the ceasefire and would be responded to. The current two-week ceasefire is expected to last until April 22 if it is not broken.
Even if the ceasefire continues, many experts predict that it will take time for the flow of energy through the Gulf to return to normal, which will mean higher fuel prices and higher inflation for the global economy.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said that oil prices could remain high until the midterm elections in November; this was a rare acknowledgment of the potential political consequences of the war.
"CONTROL OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WILL REMAIN IN IRAN'S HANDS FOREVER"
Iran's Defense Ministry Spokesman Reza Talayi Nik stated that the control of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in Iran's and the region's hands forever.
Reza Talayi Nik, the spokesperson for the Iranian Defense Ministry, made statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the efforts of the US and Israel to overthrow the system in Iran have failed, making Iran stronger, stating, "During this war, the enemy's most advanced aircraft were damaged and destroyed. The control of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in Iran's and the region's hands forever."
PEZEŞKİYAN: IF THE US GIVES UP ON THIS...
Pezeşkiyan made a statement on the social media platform of the US-based X company after the negotiations between the US and Iran in Pakistan ended and the Iranian delegation returned to the country.
President Pezeşkiyan stated, "If the US government abandons its maximalist approach and respects the rights of the Iranian people, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found."
US Vice President JD Vance had announced that the direct negotiations with Iran in Islamabad had ended "without reaching an agreement."
Iranian media suggested that the reason for the failure to reach a common framework and agreement in the Tehran-Washington talks in Islamabad was the excessive demands of the US.
"SHIPS CONNECTED TO THE ENEMY HAVE NO RIGHT TO PASS"
The spokesperson for Iran's Hatem al-Anbiya Central Headquarters also stated, "The security of the ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is either for everyone or for no one. Ships connected to the enemy have no right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and will not have such a right. Other ships will be allowed to pass through the strait in accordance with the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. If the security of the ports of the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman will remain safe."