US Blockade of Hormuz, Iran: Provocative, Our Armed Forces Are Ready to Counter!

Tehran - Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated that the United States’ blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. The Iranian armed forces are ready to take firm steps against this provocative action.

“The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a provocative step, in violation of international law, and could lead to the disruption of the ceasefire. In this regard, our armed forces are prepared to take the necessary actions,” Baghaei said, as reported on Thursday (16 April 2026).

On 13 April, the US Navy began blockading all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for around 20% of the world’s oil supplies, petroleum products, and LNG.

Washington stated that non-Iranian vessels remain free to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as long as they do not pay tolls to Tehran. Iranian authorities have not yet announced the implementation of tolls in the strait but have discussed such plans.

On 28 February, the US and Israel launched joint strikes against dozens of targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory as well as US military facilities in the Middle East in self-defence. Many countries in the region closed their airspace completely or partially amid risks of missile and drone attacks.

On Saturday (11 April 2026), Iran and the US held talks in Islamabad after US President Donald Trump announced that he had reached an agreement with Tehran on a two-week ceasefire.

On Sunday (12 April 2026), the head of the US negotiation delegation, Vice President J.D. Vance, said that Iran and the US failed to reach an agreement in those negotiations. The US delegation returned to its country without results.