Above photo: IRNA.
The Iranian military accused the US of ‘piracy’.
And warned ‘no port in these waters will be safe’ if the US follows through with its threats.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian military made a statement on 13 April, accusing Washington of “piracy” while vowing to act “decisively” to control the Strait of Hormuz and secure Iran’s waters.
The statement came hours after the US army announced a blockade of Iranian ports.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran consider defending the country’s legal rights a natural and lawful duty, and accordingly, exercising sovereignty over our territorial waters is the natural right of the Iranian people. Based on this, ensuring security in Iran’s territorial waters by the Armed Forces will continue decisively,” the Iranian army said.
“As repeatedly stated, vessels affiliated with the enemy have no right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and will not be allowed to do so, while other vessels that comply with the regulations of the Iranian Armed Forces will continue to be permitted transit. In light of continued threats against the Iranian people and national security even after the war, Iran will decisively implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz,” it added.
“The restrictions imposed by the US on maritime movement in international waters are illegal and constitute an act of piracy. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly and firmly state: security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman must be for everyone, or for no one.”
The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned that “If the security of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is threatened, no port in these waters will remain safe.”
US Central Command (CENTCOM) had announced on Sunday night that it would begin a blockade “of all maritime traffic entering and exiting” Iranian ports starting 10:00 am Eastern Time (ET) on 13 April.
“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” it added.
After the announcement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, “enjoy the current pump figures,” adding that “with the so-called ‘blockade,’ Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–5 gas.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “we are not supporting the blockade” in an interview with BBC Radio.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to Washington and its allies despite the recent ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Vessels unaffiliated with the US and Israel have been given access following coordination with the Islamic Republic.
An investigation by Press TV claimed a US attempt to send two destroyers through the Strait of Hormuz, described as a “transit stunt,” ended in failure after Iranian forces intercepted the vessels and forced them to retreat under threat of attack.
The report said missiles and drones locked onto the ships, giving them minutes to withdraw, and described the US operation as aimed at influencing talks in Islamabad, adding that the vessels attempted to disguise themselves as commercial ships using electronic deception.
The US blockade and Iranian army response come after the Islamabad talks between Tehran and Washington concluded on 12 April.
No agreement was reached due to what Tehran said were “excessive demands” from Washington.
UK, Spain reject Trump’s new scheme to blockade Hormuz Strait
Paris and London are organizing a conference to discuss ‘defensive’ measures to open the Strait, as Tehran vows ‘decisive’ action against US plans for a siege
The UK and others have rejected Washington’s plan to impose a blockade on Iranian ports and target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in collaboration with the Islamic Republic.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “we are not supporting the blockade” in an interview with BBC Radio on 13 April.
Starmer added that the UK is not “getting dragged in” to the US-Israeli war against Iran. He emphasized the priority is reopening the strait, noting it is “vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”
Turkiye opposed the blockade and called for renewed diplomacy, while China warned against escalation and urged both sides to maintain stability.
The Spanish government has also condemned the US move. “It’s just another episode in this downward spiral we’ve slipped into,” Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday, adding that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “want to impose rules on the international community, which is illogical.”
Germany did not criticize the move. “The supposed blockade … does not mark the end of this diplomatic process,” a government spokesperson said, adding that “We see it as a move to ramp up the pressure.”
The US military’s announcement did “not mention a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but rather a blockade of Iranian ports – that is a different approach,” the German spokesperson added.
Earlier on Monday, France announced that London and Paris will organize a conference to discuss forming a “strictly defensive” and “peaceful” mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“As regards the Strait of Hormuz, in the coming days, together with the UK, we will organize a conference with those countries prepared to contribute alongside us to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait,” said French President Emmanuel Macron.
“This strictly defensive mission, separate from the warring parties to the conflict, is intended to be deployed as soon as circumstances permit,” he added. Paris had previously rejected a US proposal on the formation of an international coalition aimed at reopening the Strait, saying it would help escort ships only when the war ended.
A Bahraini resolution to reopen the strait by force was vetoed by Russia and China right before the ceasefire was announced.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to Washington and its allies despite the recent ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Vessels unaffiliated with the US and Israel, including a French one, have recently been given access following coordination with the Islamic Republic.
The US threat to blockade Iran’s ports was made by CENTCOM on Sunday night. It said it would begin a blockade “of all maritime traffic entering and exiting” Iranian ports starting 10:00 am Eastern Time (ET) on 13 April.
“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” it added.
After the announcement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, “enjoy the current pump figures,” adding that “with the so-called ‘blockade,’ Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–5 gas.”
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian military made a statement on Monday, accusing Washington of “piracy” while vowing to act “decisively” in order to permanently control the Strait of Hormuz and secure Iran’s waters.
Pakistan, Iran launch overland trade corridor for direct access to Central Asia
Islamabad opened the route to avoid disruptions at border crossings with Afghanistan amid sporadic clashes
Pakistan announced on 12 April the opening of a new trade corridor through Iran to Central Asia, marking a shift in regional logistics as Islamabad seeks alternative routes following disruptions at its crossings with Afghanistan.
“The Iran corridor will open access to Iran and Central Asian states to the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar,” Pakistani officials said in a statement, positioning the route as a new channel for regional trade flows.
Pakistan dispatched its first export shipment to Uzbekistan, consisting of frozen beef transported by truck from Karachi via Iran toward Tashkent, officially activating the corridor, according to the Directorate General of Transit Trade.
Pakistan opens new Iran transit corridor to Central Asia with first beef shipment to Uzbekistan
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Pakistan has launched a new overland trade route linking South Asia to Central Asia, sending its first consignment of frozen beef from Karachi to Uzbekistan via Iran under a sealed… pic.twitter.com/fPAkM65UNj— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) April 13, 2026
The move follows repeated disruptions along Pakistan’s traditional overland routes through Afghanistan, where border clashes and closures have constrained trade and limited access to landlocked Central Asian markets.
Authorities said customs infrastructure has been expanded to support the shift, noting that storage facilities for international transshipment cargo have been approved to “increase the existing handling capacity of ports.”
Key transit points, including land crossings and a major port, have also been enabled for international road transit under the International Road Transport Union (IRU) framework.
“The steps will support [ the increase of ] port activities, facilitate international trade and transshipment infrastructure at Karachi and Gwadar ports,” the directorate added, linking the initiative to broader efforts to expand trade capacity.
Separately, analysts cited improving ties between Islamabad and Tehran as a contributing factor, with one expert saying the corridor “seems to be interlinked with growing bilateral relations” following recent diplomatic engagement.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to stabilize its economy under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, with officials pushing to expand exports and ease bottlenecks to support growth and external balances.
The shift comes as Islamabad positions itself as a regional mediator, having hosted high-level talks between US and Iranian officials, even as negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.
The talks ended without a formal agreement following two days of negotiations.
First phase of Iran-US talks in Islamabad wraps up amid reports of Hormuz ‘stalemate’https://t.co/JMofkRsmcb
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) April 11, 2026
Negotiators reportedly reached a stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran rejecting joint control and insisting on full authority over passage and the imposition of transit fees.
Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Pakistani mediators are pushing for a second round of negotiations before the current ceasefire expires.
