On April 18, 2026, Iran declared the strategic defeat of the United States in the war against the Islamic Republic. As emphasized by Iran's chief negotiator, Mohamed Baker Qalibaf, Tehran defeated the militarily superior US through an asymmetric warfare strategy. According to Iranian officials, the American campaign has effectively collapsed.
Furthermore, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed because the US continues its naval blockade. Seeing the impasse, Washington decided to send new proposals to Iran through Pakistani mediation, which are currently being studied by Tehran. According to American media reports, US President Donald Trump was "screaming" upon learning that Iranians had downed an F-35, a symbol of American prestige.
Amidst a storm of information and misinformation regarding the Iranian crisis, it appears that the Americans chose the path of deception only to be outmaneuvered by the Iranians. In war, the first casualty is truth, and the truth has been particularly ridiculed by the US side. Conversely, Iranian officials claim they behaved with utmost professionalismduring negotiations in Pakistan.
The new reality is that while Iranians initially agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, the US did not substantially lift the naval blockade, nor did Israel cease its attacks on Lebanon. Consequently, Hormuz was closed again; all ships will now be subject to inspection and required to pay transit tolls.
Iran has clarified that its enriched uranium will stay in the country, a point that is not up for discussion. Trump reportedly recognizes Hormuz as an Iranian strait, with all the legal implications that follow. No new round of talks will occur until a final agreement is reached; until then, the passage of specific vessels will be conditional, and military warships will be strictly prohibited.
Iran Security Council: New US proposals received and under review – Hormuz closed, full ship inspections enforced
Iran is studying new proposals from the United States delivered by the Pakistani army chief, according to a statement from the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council. "In recent days, during the visit of the Pakistani army chief to Tehran as a mediator, new American proposals were presented, which Iran is currently reviewing."
Iran added that it would view the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the ceasefire. In such an event, Tehran intends to prevent even the partial opening of this route. Additionally, Iran plans to monitor maritime traffic until the war with the US is definitively concluded and a lasting peace is established.
On April 8, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequently, the first round of talks took place in Islamabad, which ended without success. It was reported that a new meeting could occur on April 19 or 20, 2026, but Iran has yet to agree to it.
Iran warns: We will not transfer uranium to the US, no dialogue before final agreement
Iranian authorities have no intention of transferring enriched uranium to the US, despite claims by President Trump to the contrary, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Said Khatibzadeh. "I can assure you that no enriched materials will be given to the United States... This is unacceptable," Khatibzadeh emphasized.
The Deputy Minister also indicated that Tehran is not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks with American officials. Iran seeks to finalize a "framework agreement" before proceeding to direct meetings. "We are not yet ready for a real meeting because there are issues where the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position," the diplomat added.
He also noted that within the framework of negotiations, a "new protocol" for the Strait of Hormuz will be introduced, and it will remain "open and safe for all civilian vessels." President Trump had previously made high-profile claims that Iran agreed to stop enrichment and pledged never to close the strategically vital waterway.
Wall Street Journal: Trump advisors urge restraint – President "screamed" over F-35 loss
Advisors to US President Trump are recommending fewer spontaneous media interviews, as such conversations further reveal the contradictory nature of his statements, the Wall Street Journal reported. Individuals close to the American leader have repeatedly advised him to speak less to the press.
For a time, he agreed, but eventually returned to his previous habits. Trump even joked with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, telling her he had shared significant news with a reporter and that she should wait to read it in the newspaper. He also regularly "improvises" on Truth Social. For instance, an April 7 post threatening the collapse of Iran as a civilization was impromptu and not part of a national security plan.
Trump screamed upon learning of F-35 downing
President Trump was shouting—nearly screaming—at his aides for several hours after learning in early April that a US F-35 fighter jet had been shot down over Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump feared a repeat of the 1979 hostage crisis and demanded an immediate search and rescue operation for the crew.
However, the military required time to develop a plan of action. Trump's aides received minute-by-minute updates but, fearing the President's impatience might undermine the operation, they briefed him only on key points and discouraged his direct involvement in tactical discussions.
A two-seater US F-15E fighter jet was also downed over Iranian territory on April 3. The pilot was rescued several hours later. On April 5, Military Watch magazine reported that the rescue operation for the F-15E pilots resulted in unprecedented aircraft losses for the United States. According to the report, the US and Israel lost a total of 11 aircraft.
Trump declined attack on Kharg Island fearing heavy losses
President Trump opposed the seizure of Kharg Island by the US military, fearing that a ground operation would result in heavy casualties. Although the American leader received assurances of success for a landing operation, he believed the military would be "easy targets" and suffer unacceptable losses. Kharg Island houses Iran's primary oil terminals.
Axios: US may resume war with Iran if negotiations stall
The US government may resume military action against Iran in the coming days if no progress is made in negotiations, Axios reported. Trump held a meeting at the White House to discuss the latest escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. A senior official stated that without a breakthrough, "the war could resume in the coming days."
Iran declares US defeat and Iranian victory
Mohamed Baker Qalibaf (Iran): We defeated the militarily superior US with an asymmetric strategy
Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Baker Qalibaf stated that the Islamic Republic successfully repelled the enemy (referring to the US and Israel) despite their superior financial resources, by employing asymmetric warfare. "We conducted an asymmetric war in such a way as to push back the enemy," said Qalibaf.
According to the chief negotiator, the enemy's weaknesses lie not in resources but in strategy. "The enemy had money, but they did not act correctly in terms of planning," Qalibaf stated. "They make strategic mistakes and miscalculate regarding our people."
Iran won despite US military superiority
Qalibaf stated that while the US possesses superior military power, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious in the recent conflict through superior preparation. "We are not stronger than the United States in terms of raw power," he admitted.
"It is clear they have more money and equipment, and because they have committed so much aggression worldwide, their experience is greater. However, advantages in weapons do not guarantee victory," noted Qalibaf.
Strategic ingenuity
He attributed Iran's success to strategic ingenuity. "We conducted an asymmetric war... through our own planning." He claimed the enemy failed because they did not act correctly from a design perspective.
Finally, instead of "America First"... it was "Israel First"
"The US government claims that 'America First' matters to them, but in practice, they have shown that Israel comes first, because they make decisions based on false Israeli intelligence," Qalibaf asserted. He maintained that Iran accepted the ceasefire only because the US accepted Iranian demands. "There will be no capitulation in the field of diplomacy."
Americans sought dialogue when they saw failure
Qalibaf revealed that when the Americans realized they could not impose their demands through military force and saw that Iranian forces stood firm, they sent messages through various countries. "Today we stand even firmer than the day before the ceasefire was imposed."
Iran is militarily ready – We have no trust in the US
Qalibaf stated that Iran remains ready to respond the moment the enemy makes a mistake, emphasizing that the armed forces are fully prepared even as diplomatic negotiations continue. "The moment the enemy makes a mistake, we are ready."
The speaker stressed that Iran has no trust in its adversaries. "Even at this moment, war could break out. The armed forces are fully prepared on the ground."
Warning of escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
Mohamed Baker Qalibaf stated that he personally warned the US delegation in Islamabad against escalating in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that Iranian forces would open fire on minesweepers if they moved "even an inch" from their positions.
The top lawmaker detailed the confrontation between Iranian naval forces and the US military, claiming the Islamic Republic has full control of the vital waterway and has already forced the US to retreat.
We will strike the minesweepers
"I told the American delegation that if their minesweeper moves even slightly, we will certainly shoot it," he said, adding that the delegation asked for 15 minutes to relay the order to turn back. Qalibaf added that the IRGC Navy decisively prevented a mine-laying attempt that violated the ceasefire.
Clumsy handling and ignorance
"We reached the point of confrontation, but the enemy retreated," he noted, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian control. He dismissed the Trump administration's "naval blockade" as a "clumsy decision" born of ignorance. "It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz but not us. If the US does not abandon the blockade, traffic will certainly be restricted."
Propaganda tricks
An investigation by Press TV on April 12 revealed that a US attempt to transit two destroyers through the Strait resulted in a failed propaganda stunt timed to coincide with the Islamabad talks. According to military security sources, the US Navy destroyers came within minutes of total destruction after attempting a high-risk passage.
Both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers were intercepted and forced to retreat by Iranian naval forces. The investigation found that the attempt was a high-risk move that could have easily turned into a disaster for the US military. Iranian cruise missiles and attack drones were reportedly deployed and locked onto the ships. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the destroyers attempted to forge their identities, posing as commercial vessels from Oman.
180 drones hit during the war – How the F-35 was downed
Iranian air defense forces successfully hit approximately 180 drones in the recent war—a capability that did not exist in previous conflicts. Qalibaf argued that the attack on a US F-35 sent a clear signal. The Speaker highlighted technical advances in air defense systems, particularly after the 12-day war in June 2025.
Regarding the F-35 incident, he stated: "The downing of an F-35 is no coincidence. It is an operation involving various technical dimensions." He added that the proximity of the missile's explosion to the aircraft served as a deterrent signalto the enemy.
Citizens on the streets for 50 nights
"Today, our people are more steadfast than in the previous war. They have been in the streets every day for nearly 50 nights," Qalibaf said, referring to nocturnal rallies.
Kamala Harris: Senseless war in Iran due to Epstein case, Netanyahu provoked it, Trump a "mafia boss"
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a luncheon in Michigan, sharply criticizing the Trump administration's foreign policy. Harris called the joint US-Israel war against Iran a "senseless war" and viewed it as a weak attempt to distract from the Epstein cases.
"Trump entered a war and was dragged into it by Netanyahu; let's be clear, he entered a war the American people did not want. One of the consequences is the rise in gas prices." She described the administration as the most corrupt and ineffective in history. "Trump does not understand real power and constantly overcompensates, acting like a mafia boss." She portrayed him as "insecure," using military force against anyone he chooses.
Trump’s 7 lies, according to US Senator
Jon Ossoff, a Democratic Senator from Georgia, attacked Trump at a campaign rally, stating that the American people are being kept from the truth. "We are witnessing daily lies regarding the war with Iran," he said, listing several instances:
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Day 10: Trump claimed "The war is over for good."
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Day 11: "It will end soon."
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Day 12: "We won."
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Day 21: "We are very close to victory."
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Day 32: "We will leave soon."
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Day 40: "We achieved full and absolute victory."
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Day 49: Trump claimed Iran had opened Hormuz, while it remained closed and a cargo ship was reportedly attacked.
Unbelievable unity in Iran: 28 million join "JanFeda" campaign – The world's largest popular army
While Israeli and US officials predicted Iran would collapse internally from protests by the third day of the war, the opposite occurred. Iranians showed incredible cohesion. In the national campaign "JanFeda" (Sacrifice for Life), 28 million Iranians have participated, declaring their readiness to defend the country.
This campaign, which began after the invasion of Iran by "US-Zionist terrorists," has grown rapidly despite the ceasefire. With over 28 million volunteers ready to defend Islamic Iran, the nation has effectively formed the largest popular army in the world.
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