Peace Talks Fail, Iran Vows Not to Yield to Trump's Strait of Hormuz Blockade Threat
Tensions between Iran and the United States (US) have intensified once again after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has emphasised that it will not bow to such threats.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, asserted that his country is prepared to fight back if pressured. The statement came after peace negotiations between Iran and the US in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended in failure.
“If they fight, we will fight, and if they present logical arguments, we will counter with logic. We will not submit to any threats; let them test our resolve once more so that we can give them a greater lesson,” Ghalibaf told reporters upon returning to Tehran from Islamabad, as reported by Al Arabiya on Monday (13/4/2026).
Iran’s Response to the US Blockade
Iran’s navy chief, Shahram Irani, described Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as ridiculous. The remark followed marathon negotiations between Tehran and Washington that failed to produce an agreement to end the war.
“The brave soldiers of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy are monitoring and surveilling all aggressive US military movements in the area. The US President’s threat to blockade Iran at sea is utterly ridiculous and laughable,” Irani stated, as cited by detikNews on Monday (13/4/2026).
“The brave soldiers of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy are tracking and monitoring all aggressive US military movements in the area,” he emphasised.
“The US President’s threat, following the humiliating defeat of his forces in the imposed third war—namely a naval blockade against Iran—is utterly ridiculous and laughable,” he added.
IRGC Threatens Firm Action
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) separately warned that it would take firm action against any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz. This step is considered a violation of the two-week ceasefire with the US.
The IRGC stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under the control and “intelligent management” of the Iranian Navy. The route remains open to non-military vessels in accordance with applicable rules.
The IRGC had previously asserted that the strait would never return to its previous state, especially for the US and Israel.
Trump Orders Blockade
Earlier, Trump ordered the US Navy to block shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was made after peace talks with Iran in Pakistan failed to reach an agreement.
In a statement on his social media, Trump said the US objective was to clear the Strait of Hormuz of sea mines and reopen it for international shipping.
“Effective immediately, the World’s Best United States Navy will commence the process of BLOCKADING all ships attempting to enter, or exit, the Strait of Hormuz. Any Iranian citizen shooting at us, or our peaceful ships, will be ANNIHILATED!” Trump declared.
The US President also warned that any ship that has paid port fees to Iran will be stopped in international waters.
Iran is known to have restricted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began on 28 February. This route is one of the world’s main distribution channels for oil and gas.
Tehran allows ships from friendly countries, such as China, to pass through but prohibits vessels affiliated with countries deemed aggressors.
Additionally, Iran’s parliament has proposed a draft law to impose transit fees in the strait in the national currency, as well as banning US and Israeli ships from passing through.