Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz Again if US Continues Port Blockade

The Iranian government has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz again if the United States continues blockading Iranian ports. This was stated on Saturday (18/4), a few hours after the main waterway was reopened following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.

The reopening of the strait has sparked optimism from Washington, with US President Donald Trump telling AFP news agency that the peace agreement is “very close”. Trump also said that Iran has agreed to surrender its enriched uranium stocks – a key point in negotiations.

“We will get it by working with Iran, with a lot of excavators,” Trump said to the Turning Point USA conservative movement meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

However, Iran has denied the claim, stating that their enriched uranium stocks are not going anywhere.

Iran also warned that if US warships intercept vessels coming from Iranian ports, the Strait of Hormuz – the main global route typically carrying one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas – could be closed again.

“With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” wrote Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in a post on social media platform X, as reported by AFP news agency on Saturday (18/4/2026). He added that passage through those waters requires permission from Iran.

“The opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz does not happen on the internet, but is determined on the ground, and our armed forces certainly know how to act in response to any actions from the other side,” said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

“What they call a naval blockade will certainly be met with an appropriate response from Iran. A naval blockade is a violation of the ceasefire and Iran will definitely take the necessary actions,” he emphasised.