The atmosphere of tension, suspicion, bluffs, and strategy prevents total clarity regarding developments in the Iranian crisis. While the impression was cultivated that a meeting between Americans and Iranians would take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 19 or 20, 2026, to confirm reached agreements, the issues of the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade, uranium, and Lebanon remain open. President Trump stated—evidently bluffing—that Iran agreed to everything, but this is false. Observing Iran’s reaction, Trump threatened that if negotiations fail, the US will bomb Iran again.
He also emphasized that he would consider not extending the ceasefire and threatened to take the uranium in a "not friendly way." Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that a "new order" is being imposed on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran remains categorical: nuclear-grade uranium will remain exclusively in Iran. Iran insists on its 10-point proposal, which states that Hormuz is under exclusive Iranian sovereignty and that enrichment will continue. Simultaneously, it was revealed that during an attempt by US Navy ships to transit the Strait, Iranians locked onto them with 16 cruise missiles, forcing a disorderly American retreat.
Meanwhile, oil prices retreated to $86 per barrel before rebounding to $92 per barrel.
Trump: If contacts fail, we will bomb Iran again – I may not extend the ceasefire... I will take the uranium in a non-friendly way
US President Trump has not ruled out the possibility that the US could resume military action against the Islamic Republic if negotiations fail. "I may not extend the ceasefire. The blockade has taken effect and, unfortunately, we will have to start the bombings again," he said, responding to reporters' questions regarding a ceasefire extension if a deal is not reached before the current agreement expires on the night of April 21-22, 2026.
Trump further stated that the United States will act "less friendly" if Iran refuses to assist in the removal of enriched uranium. Regarding the timeline for the removal, Trump claimed it would happen "at some point after the signing of the agreement." "We will go there with Iran, take it together, and send it back to the United States 100%. If that doesn't happen, we will do it in a different, much less friendly way," the American President declared.
Trump: US will seize Iran’s uranium using excavators and bring it to America
The US intends to use excavators to seize high-enriched Iranian uranium stored at nuclear facilities attacked in the summer of 2025 and subsequently remove it, President Trump emphasized. "How will we export the nuclear dust? We will export it together with Iran, using many excavators. And we will transport the nuclear materials to the US," he stated during a speech in Phoenix, Arizona, to supporters of Turning Point USA.
The US President referred to the high-enriched uranium stored at the Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow facilities—which were hit by US airstrikes in June 2025—as "nuclear dust." He stated that Iran "will receive no monetary compensation."
Qalibaf warns: All 7 of Trump’s claims about negotiations are false, Hormuz will close again
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of the Iranian Parliament and head of the recent negotiation team, posted on Twitter:
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The US President made 7 claims in one hour, all 7 of which are false.
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They did not win the war with these lies, and they certainly will not get anywhere in the negotiations.
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If the naval blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open; it will close again.
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Transit through the Strait of Hormuz will occur based on a "defined route" and with "Iranian permission."
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The opening or closing of the Strait and its regulations will be determined by the "field," not by social networks.
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The media war and thought engineering are a major part of the conflict, and the Iranian nation is not affected by these tricks.
What sparked Iran's rage?
President Trump had claimed on Truth Social that Iran had "agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again." He also claimed that the "US naval blockade will remain in full force and effect regarding Iran only until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete." Trump further stated that ceasefire negotiations "should move very quickly, as most points have already been negotiated."
The Strait of Hormuz is fully controlled by Iran
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to adversaries and their allies following the start of the latest unprovoked aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime. On April 7, 2026, Trump announced a two-month pause in attacks after the closure sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with the US President experiencing a significant drop in popularity due to soaring gasoline prices. The announcement followed at least 99 waves of decisive Iranian retaliatory attacks against sensitive American and Israeli targets across the region.
The US will gain nothing through lies
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf highlighted how resorting to "lies" did not help the US win throughout the aggression, referring to successive claims made by Washington regarding self-proclaimed damage to Iran's defense infrastructure. The Iranian official emphasized that such a fabrication campaign did not benefit Washington during the conflict and "certainly" would not be useful during diplomatic talks.
Iranian General: The Strait of Hormuz is open only under conditions; warships are barred
Iran could re-close the Strait of Hormuz at any time and will only keep it open under specific conditions, despite USclaims to the contrary, stated an Iranian Ministry of Defense spokesperson. "The Strait of Hormuz is open only during the ceasefire and under certain conditions; therefore, military vessels and ships connected to enemy forces are not permitted to pass," the official said. He stressed that the blockade would be reinstated if Israel began hitting Lebanon again. Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry allowed for the possibility of action if the US continues its naval blockade.
Iranian official: Trump’s lies and bluffs could blow up the negotiations
Trump’s lies and bluffs could lead to the failure of the negotiations. An Iranian official told CNN that Trump is spreading a barrage of lies and false claims. Following recent statements by the US President regarding the negotiation process, a senior Iranian official rejected these claims and warned of the negative impact on the diplomatic process.
Trump had previously claimed that Iran agreed "to everything," including cooperation on removing enriched uranium. However, the official speaking to CNN called the claims "untrue" and stressed that Tehran has never agreed to transfer its enriched uranium abroad or stop enrichment indefinitely. The official noted that negotiations might fail under the influence of Trump’s propaganda and bluffing tactics. While Iran is committed to a results-oriented process, there is concern the US is using diplomacy as a tool to erode the talks and pave the way for new aggression.
IRGC: Imposing New Order on Hormuz – Permission required for all ships, warships banned
The IRGC Navy reports that a "new order" is now in effect in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, outlining strict new regulations for all maritime traffic. The commander of the Revolutionary Guard Navy announced that all commercial ships will only be allowed to transit through routes designated by Iran. The announcement confirmed that the transit of military vessels through the strategic chokepoint remains strictly prohibited.
According to the IRGC, all transits will be permitted only with the explicit permission of their naval forces. These measures signal Iran's firm control over the waterway, through which approximately 20% of global oil passes, following the 40-day war by the US-Israeli coalition. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway acting as the pulse of the global energy economy and a powerful asset for Iran to reshape the balance of power in the Persian Gulf.
CNN: 20,000 sailors and 2,000 ships carrying 132 million barrels of oil blocked in the Persian Gulf
Approximately 20,000 sailors and 2,000 ships carrying 132 million barrels of oil are blocked in the Persian Gulf, CNNemphasized. Authorities have less than a week to release them, as the Strait of Hormuz remains open only until the ceasefire expires. Meanwhile, Tasnim reports that Iran has announced exemptions from navigation rules for certain vessels, provided they are not connected to the United States or Israel, nor is their cargo. The Islamic Republic’s Security Council stated Iran will close the Strait again if the US continues its naval blockade.
Unbelievable – IRGC locked 16 anti-ship missiles on US vessels attempting to pass Hormuz
The IRGC Navy locked 16 cruise missiles onto aggressive US warships that attempted to pass through Hormuz shortly before they hastily retreated. Press TV received new information regarding an April 11 confrontation in the strategic waterway. According to the findings, after the US warships—the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121)—ignored initial warnings, the IRGC locked 16 cruise missiles on the vessels.
The enemy was warned that if they did not withdraw within minutes, the missiles would be launched. Convinced an attack was imminent, the US forces requested a 15-minute delay to receive orders. The tense standoff lasted less than an hour due to Iranian restraint. Shortly after, the US destroyers quickly fled the area. Investigations revealed the attempt to transit two destroyers was a failed propaganda stunt timed to coincide with the Islamabad talks. Both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers had come within minutes of destruction. They had reportedly falsified their identities, presenting themselves as commercial vessels from Oman, and chose a route through shallow waters to avoid detection, but IRGCpatrols spotted the deception immediately.
Axios: Netanyahu shocked by Trump’s ban on attacking Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shocked and concerned by President Trump’s announcement that he would not attack Lebanon. According to Axios, Israeli officials sought clarification from the White House regarding the post. Axios notes that the announcement contradicts the agreement reached, which preserves Israel's right to conduct attacks even during a ceasefire in the context of self-defense.
"Netanyahu was stunned and anxious when he learned of the post." When asked for comment, the White House simply confirmed Israel's right to self-defense. Trump had written on Truth Social that Israel would no longer attack Lebanon because "the United States has prohibited them from doing so."
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