Indus Valley Times

IRAN, APR 18 : Iran on Saturday announced that it would resume “strict management” of the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after US President Donald Trump stated that he planned to maintain the naval blockade of Iranian ports until both countries agree on a permanent ceasefire deal.

In a statement shared on state television, Iran’s central military command stated that Washington had broken a promise by continuing its naval blockade of ships sailing to and from Iran’s ports.

Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all vessels visiting Iran, “the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled,” the statement said.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Donald Trump said he planned to maintain the blockade while also refusing to give clarity on whether the temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran, which is due to expire on April 22, would be extended.

“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, when asked if the ceasefire will be extended.

Asked about a potential deal, Trump said, “I think it’s going to happen.”

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday in the wake of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, while threatening to close the vital waterway once again if the US blockade continues.

“With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X, adding that passage through the waterway would require authorisation from Iran.

“The opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz, does not take place on internet; it is determined in the field, and our armed forces certainly know how to behave in response to any action by the other side,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

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

-AFP