Iran has described the port siege as the US president’s “chosen revenge” on the global economy.
Published April 13, 2026
|
Last updated: 1 hour ago
Iran has suggested that a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would only harm the international economy after President Donald Trump ordered a naval siege against the country.
“Can we win the illegal ‘war of choice’ with ‘revenge of choice’ against the world economy?!” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghai posted on X on Monday. “Is it worth cutting off your nose to tease your face?!”
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
President Trump warned Iranian warships not to approach the blockade zone.
“The Iranian Navy is lying on the ocean floor, 158 ships completely obliterated. What we didn’t attack was a small number of their so-called ‘fast attack ships’ because we didn’t see them as much of a threat,” Trump said in a social media post.
“Warning: If any of these ships come close to our blockade, they will be eliminated immediately.”
The blockade, announced by President Trump on Sunday after US and Iranian negotiators failed to reach an agreement after a series of talks in Pakistan, went into effect at 10am (14:00 GMT) in Washington DC on Monday.
The US move risks setting the stage for a major escalation that could undermine the two-week ceasefire between the two countries, which took effect on Wednesday.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) said it had been advised that the US blockade would apply “without distinction” to ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and oil terminals.
“The restrictions extend to the entire Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure,” the Royal Navy’s UKMTO said in an advisory.
Although the ceasefire agreement stipulated that Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz, shipping traffic in the strategic waterway has not increased.
Iranian officials accused the United States of violating the cease-fire agreement by allowing Israel to continue its bombing and ground invasion of Lebanon. Pakistan, which brokered the ceasefire, said all regional fronts, including Lebanon, were part of the agreement.
President Trump’s move to block Iranian ports could hamper Iran’s already deteriorating economy, but it is unlikely to loosen Iran’s grip on Hormuz or lower energy prices.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian government’s negotiating team in Islamabad, warned on Sunday that a U.S. naval siege would only increase gas prices for Americans.
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States has gone from less than $3 before the war to more than $4.12 today.
“Enjoy the current numbers at the pump. The so-called ‘lockdown’ will soon make you nostalgic for $4 to $5 gas,” Ghalibaf wrote to X.
Iran has vowed to protect its territorial waters, calling the maritime siege an act of piracy.
The 21-hour talks in Islamabad that began on Saturday focused on the conflict over Hormuz and whether Iran should be allowed to maintain its domestic nuclear program.
Pakistan said it would continue its mediation efforts.
“Pakistan remains committed to sustaining this momentum towards peace and stability,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a social media post on Monday.
