US Announces Blockade of Ships Passing Through Hormuz Strait, Iran Responds Strongly

US President Donald Trump has announced that the US Navy will blockade ships passing through the Hormuz Strait. In a social media post, he stated that any vessel attempting to navigate this route will be stopped and inspected. Trump specifically mentioned that ships paying tolls to Iran will be under strict surveillance. He warned that ships illegally paying tolls to Iran will not be granted safe passage. His argument is that this move aims to reduce Iran’s economic power.

Trump also asserted that the US is prepared for any situation and will take steps to end the conflict if necessary. Earlier, Iran’s Deputy Speaker Haji Babai claimed that the strait is under Iran’s control. He referred to it as Tehran’s ‘red line’ and noted that ships traveling through the route must pay tolls in Iranian currency, the rial.

Yesterday, peace talks between Iran and the US in Pakistan, which lasted about 21 hours, ended without any conclusions. Following the talks, both sides issued strong statements against each other. Reports indicate that discussions about reopening the Hormuz Strait and Iran’s nuclear program hit an impasse. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stern warning to the US. Reacting to the threat of a blockade of the Hormuz Strait, he said, “Enjoy the current petrol prices.”

Ghalibaf posted on his Twitter account, “Watch the current petrol prices, because after this so-called blockade, $4-5 per gallon petrol will start to seem cheap to you soon.”

Following the US announcement to blockade Iranian ports starting Monday, global crude oil prices surged sharply. In early trading, US crude oil rose by 8 percent to reach $104.24 per barrel, while the international benchmark Brent crude increased by 7 percent to $102.29 per barrel.